What Are the Characteristics of Water?

One of the unique characteristics of water is that it is found in three different states at surface temperatures of the Earth: gas, liquid and solid. Additionally, its specific heat capacity is much higher than that of other substances.

At 1 calorie per gram degrees Celsius, its heat capacity is five times higher than that of aluminum.

On account of the hydrogen bonds in the H2O molecule, water has a high boiling point, which makes it turn into water vapor at very high temperatures (212 degrees F). Water is also characterized by capillary action, a phenomenon that occurs when water climbs upward in small spaces, thus defying gravity due to forces of adhesion and surface tension.

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