Water

KEY POINTS
1. Next to air, water is most essential for the existence of animals or plant life.
2. There are two main sources of water :
(i) Underground water
(ii) Surface water.
3. Naturally occurring water can be classified as (i) rain water (ii) well or spring water (iii) river water
and (iv) sea water.
4. Rain water is the purest form of water, whereas sea water is impure form of water.
5. The reservoir of water above the impervious rocks is called a well and the water in this type of
reservoir is called well water.
6. Rain water collects above the impervious rocks under the earth. When this water exerts pressure
and comes out from an opening in the earth, a spring is formed.
7. Water is a universal solvent and can dissolve almost all substances in it.
8. The water escaping into the air, returns back to the earth in the form of rain, thereby forming water
cycle.
9. Water, which is fit for human consumption, such that it is clear and does not contain excessive
dissolved salts or harmful bacteria, is called potable water.
10. Water can be made fit for drinking purposes either by boiling or by treating with chlorine tablets.
11. Water free from dissolved impurities and gases can be obtained by distillation.
12. Water in big cities is supplied after sedimentation, filtration and chlorination of river or lake water.
13. Pure water is a colourless, odourless and tasteless liquid, having a freezing point of 0C and
boiling point 100C at a pressure of 76 cm of mercury.
14. The heat energy utilised in changing the state of water, from the solid to the liquid state is called
latent heat of fusion. Ice has the highest latent heat of fusion, i.e., 80 calories/g.
15. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 g of water through 1C is called specific
heat capacity of water. Specific heat capacity of water is 1 calorie/gC which is the highest for any
known substance.
16. A sample of ground water which lathers freely with soap solution is called soft water, whereas the
one which forms sticky scum is called hard water.
17. Temporary hard water can be softened by boiling.
18. Permanent hard water can be softened by treating with washing soda.
19. Pollution of ground water is caused by the defecation of living beings as well as by the agricultural
and industrial operations.
20. Pollution of water due to defecation can be solved by using pit latrines and by setting up biogas
plants.
21. Discharge of hot water in rivers by thermoelectric plants cause thermal pollution. This leads to
death of biotic life.
22. Pollution of water due to agricultural operations can be minimised by using minimum amount of
artificial fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.

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