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The Water Table (Periodic Table)

The periodic table, a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, doesn’t specifically define water but provides the information about the elements that constitute it. Water is a compound composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, chemically represented as H2O. Here’s how the periodic table relates to water:

 

  1. Atomic Numbers:

    • Hydrogen (H): Atomic number = 1

    • Oxygen (O): Atomic number = 8

  2. Atomic Masses:

    • Hydrogen (H): Atomic mass of hydrogen is approximately 1.00784 atomic mass units (u).

    • Oxygen (O): Atomic mass of oxygen is approximately 15.999 u.

  3. Electron Configurations:

    • Hydrogen (H): Hydrogen has one electron. Its electron configuration is 1s^1.

    • Oxygen (O): Oxygen has eight electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4.

  4. Chemical Properties:

    • Hydrogen: Hydrogen is a highly reactive diatomic gas under standard conditions. It forms covalent bonds with other elements, including oxygen, to create molecules like water.

    • Oxygen: Oxygen is a diatomic gas under standard conditions and forms strong covalent bonds with other elements, including hydrogen, to create molecules like water. It is a key component of many compounds and is essential for respiration and combustion.

 

When hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water molecules, each hydrogen atom shares one of its electrons with the oxygen atom, forming covalent bonds. This results in a stable molecule where the oxygen atom is slightly negatively charged (due to its higher electronegativity) and the hydrogen atoms are slightly positively charged. This polarization gives water its unique properties, such as its ability to form hydrogen bonds, high surface tension, and exceptional solvent properties.

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