Water (from the Old English word wæter; c.f German "Wasser", from PIE *wod-or, "water") is a tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless (it has a slight hint of blue) substance in its pure form that is essential to all known forms of life and is known also as the most universal solvent. Water is an abundant substance on Earth. It exists in many places and forms. It appears mostly in the oceans and polar ice caps, but also as clouds, rain water, rivers, freshwater aquifers, and sea ice. On the planet, water is cont ...

Including:

• Water - Molecular properties
• Water - Forms of water
• Water - Water in biology and human civilization
• Water - Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water
• Water - Human uses of water
• Water - Water as a precious resource
• Water - Regulating water distribution
• Water - The impact of water on religion and philosophy

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The coexistence of the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of water on Earth is vital to the origin, evolution, and continued existence of life on Earth. However, if the Earth's location in the solar system were even marginally closer or further from the Sun (ie, a million miles or so), the conditions which allow the three forms to be present simultaneously would be far less likely to exist. Earth's mass allows gravity to hold an atmosphere. Water vapor and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere provides a greenhouse effect which helps mainta ...

See also:

Water, Water - Molecular properties, Water - Forms of water, Water - Water in biology and human civilization, Water - Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water, Water - Human uses of water, Water - Water as a precious resource, Water - Regulating water distribution, Water - The impact of water on religion and philosophy

Read more here: » Water: Encyclopedia II - Water - Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water

Water - Forms of water. For more details on this topic, see Category: Forms of water. Water takes many different shapes on earth: water vapor and clouds in the sky, waves and icebergs in the sea, glaciers in the mountain, aquifers in the ground, to name but a few. Through evaporation, precipitation, and runoff, water is continuously flowing from one form to anot ...

See also:

Water, Water - Molecular properties, Water - Forms of water, Water - Water in biology and human civilization, Water - Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water, Water - Human uses of water, Water - Water as a precious resource, Water - Regulating water distribution, Water - The impact of water on religion and philosophy

Read more here: » Water: Encyclopedia II - Water - Molecular properties

Water is considered a purifier in most religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Shinto. For instance, baptism in Christian churches is done with water. In addition, a ritual bath in pure water is performed for the dead in many religions including Judaism and Islam. In Islam, the five daily prayers can only be done after completing washing the body with clean water (wudu). In Shinto, water is used in almost all rituals to cleanse a person or an area. Water is mentioned in the Bible 442 times in the New International Version and 363 times in the King James Version. 2 Peter 3 ...

See also:

Water, Water - Molecular properties, Water - Forms of water, Water - Water in biology and human civilization, Water - Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water, Water - Human uses of water, Water - Water as a precious resource, Water - Regulating water distribution, Water - The impact of water on religion and philosophy

Read more here: » Water: Encyclopedia II - Water - The impact of water on religion and philosophy

All known forms of life depend on water. Water is a vital part of many metabolic processes within the body. Significant quantities of water are used during the digestion of food. (Note however that some bacteria and plant seeds can enter a cryptobiotic state for an indefinite period when dehydrated, and come back to life when returned to a wet environment) About 72% of the fat free mass of the human body is made of water. To function properly the body requires between one and seven litres of water per day to avoid dehydration, the pre ...

See also:

Water, Water - Molecular properties, Water - Forms of water, Water - Water in biology and human civilization, Water - Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water, Water - Human uses of water, Water - Water as a precious resource, Water - Regulating water distribution, Water - The impact of water on religion and philosophy

Read more here: » Water: Encyclopedia II - Water - Human uses of water