Water Density

Water is the most important fluid on our planet the Earth. This can be termed as the elixir of life. Not only life is believed to be the birth place of life on this planet, it has supported all evolutionary processes, continues to support different forms of life and in many circumstances (floods, tsunami etc.) leads to destruction of life as well. In many ancient cultures the doomsday is described as destruction of everything by being submerged in deep water. Therefore, one can even look upon water as the famous Trinity of the God – Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the life supporter) and Mahesh (the Destroyer) – as described in Hindu philosophy of life. Scientific aspects of this wonderful fluid - like molecular structure and therefore, properties and their repercussions on life on this planet are truly amazing. So special is this fluid that it stirs the soft artistic corner of any individual; I should say every living being. Let us explore as what makes water so special.

Besides, water has another beautiful property in relation with aquatic life on the Earth. Water has its maximum density at 4oC. This leads to setting up of a convection current in large water bodies as temperature falls. Therefore, entire water body comes at 4oC before the top layer starts cooling further. Afterwards, the temperature keeps falling and ice forms on the surface as temperature falls to zero degree Celsius. This ice is also lighter than water at 4oC and therefore, an ice layer covers the water body from the top. As, water is insulator of heat, it stops further cooling of water even though the temperature outside may be well below zero. This condition is prevalent in the Polar Regions on this planet. But still, water continues to protect the aquatic life through time immemorial against the unbearably low temperature.