How Many Forms of Water are There

Introduction

There are three forms of water. Water is present almost everywhere on the earth. About 71% of the earth’s area is covered with water. Out of which, only 3% of water is fresh, and for drinking, we have only 1.2% of water. It is present in the forms of seas, lakes, oceans, ice caps, rivers, and underground water, also known as fresh water. Humans need fresh water for their daily survival. It also exists in the atmosphere, in the form of moisture.

So we can say that there are three different forms of water that are present on the earth, namely:

1. Solid Form

2. Liquid Form

3. Gaseous Form

Water

Water on Earth has different forms due to the adapted climatic conditions. It is an extremely crucial resource to use in everyday activities, such as cooking, drinking, cleaning, washing clothes and utensils, bathing, watering plants, etc.

We have studied in previous classes about the Water Cycle. In the Water Cycle, water processes in each form of water, during the process of condensation, freezing, and evaporation.

Solid Form of Water

The solid form of water exists in the ice form. Ice is also known as Frozen Water. When freezing, the molecules of water move far from each other, and this process makes the ice less dense than the original form of water. It implies that ice is lighter than water, so it can float on water.

On earth, it is present in the form of glaciers, snow, ice caps, etc. The Ice (solid) form of water is present in a very small quantity on the earth. It is only about 2%. The Glaciers are composed of approximately 68% of freshwater and that makes them an important source of usable freshwater.

Liquid Form of Water

A vast region of the earth’s surface is covered with the liquid form of water. Lakes, rivers, seas, oceans, rainwater, and freshwater are the liquid forms of water that exist on the earth. There is a total of 96.5% of the water that the oceans contain. Seas and Ocean water have a saline nature. Humans cannot use this water due to this reason. On the other hand, different rivers and lakes contain freshwater that humans can use for various purposes. There is 87% of the water that is present in Lakes, 11% in Swamps, and only 2% in Rivers, in liquid form. Despite all these water bodies, the river water is mostly usable water for humans.

Gaseous Form of Water

The Gaseous Form of Water is in the form of vapour and is present in small quantities. Mainly the vapour form is present in the atmosphere, like soil moisture, clouds, etc. The remaining vapour form is present in the Troposphere. The quantity of vapour in the air differs based on the density and temperature of the air.

It is always in the air, around us, but we cannot see it. On boiling, the water changes into vapour (gas) form. When this vapour goes into the sky, due to the cool air above, the vapour changes into clouds.

Conclusion

All three forms of water and their conversion from one form to another form of water can be observed in the ‘Water Cycle’. The solid form is Snow, the liquid form is fluid water, and the gaseous form is vapour or clouds. Naturally, this process depends on the temperature, on the earth and different climatic, and weather. Sun is the main source for the process of evaporation, in which the water from liquid form changes into water vapour, the gaseous form. It is a continuous cycle, that manages the balance of water on the Earth.