ABSTRACT
There is probably no single compound with which we have more intimate and continuous contact than water. Water is nearly everywhere and is used in nearly everything. We drink it, eat it, bathe in it, swim in it, and navigate through it. When we get into situations with no water, we could be in a great deal of trouble. Water is essential for life, and all living things contain water. Species that thrive in deserts have efficient ways of conserving water to ensure their survival. Only air is of more immediate necessity for life, but since it is nearly always present we are not as aware of air as we are of water. What makes water so special? Why is life so dependent on it? To understand the importance of water, we must first consider the properties of water.
