 |
|
|
Water is not classified as a mineral, since it lacks a crystal structure being that it is in a liquid form. Many
scientific groups and references, including the acclaimed Dana's System
of Mineralogy, categorize mineraloids such as Opal and
Mercury together with the "true" minerals. However, virtually all mineral reference guides, including Dana's, exclude water from being classified as a mineral. (When water solidifies and turns into Ice, however, it is considered a mineral by all accounts.) We have included water in thus guide for the purpose of delineating its properties so that it can be compared to the true minerals. Water and Mercury are the only two naturally occurring, inorganic substances with a definitive
chemical formula that occur in a liquid state at normal
temperatures. Water covers more than 3/4 of the earth's surface, and is its most common and vital resource. It is a major solvent, dissolving more substances than any other liquid. For this reason, water is almost always impure. |
|
|
Chemical Formula |
H2O |
|
Composition |
Hydrogen oxide. Almost always impure, usually with salt. |
|
Color |
Colorless, green, gray, brown. Reflection of the sky give large bodies of water a sky-blue color. The actual color of pure water is colorless with a slight blue tinge. |
|
Streak |
- |
|
Hardness |
0 |
|
Crystal System |
Amorphous |
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Water is in a liquid state, and therefore lacking any crystalline form. |
|
Transparency |
Transparent to translucent |
|
Specific Gravity |
1 |
|
Luster |
Vitreous |
|
Cleavage |
- |
|
Fracture |
- |
|
Tenacity |
- |
|
Other ID Marks |
1) Occurs in a liquid state.
2) Freezes at 32º F (0º C) and boils at 212º F (100º C).
3) When salt impurities are present, water is an electrical conductor. |
|
Complex Tests |
Water is unique in that instead of contracting when it solidifies, like almost all matter, it expands upon freezing, and reaches its maximum density at 39° F (4° C). Antimony also exhibits this strange property. |
|
In Group |
Oxides; Hydroxides |
| Environment |
Water occurs in large and small bodies still bodies of water (oceans, lakes, ponds, swamps), in moving streams, rivers, and springs, as raindrops, in puddles, as dew droplets, etc. |
|
Popularity (1-4)
|
1 |
|
Prevalence (1-3)
|
1 |
|
Demand (1-3) |
1 |
|
|
- Synonym of Saltwater (above)
|
|
Water is the fiber of all life, and there is no physical substance more important than water.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a question about Water? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
|
|
|
|
Let us know how we can update this page
(Click for more details)
|
|
We strive for accurate content and locality information. If you feel any of the content is incorrect, or if you feel we are missing vital locality information, please fill out the form below so we can update the site. If you are requesting a locality be added, please only include significant locality occurences for the mineral.
|
 |
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
