Water

An oxygen atom can bond with two hydrogen atoms to make the very important molecule we call water.

Ball and stick model of water H₂O

Water is an example of a compound, because it contains more than one kind of atom. The formula for water is H₂O meaning there are two hydrogen atoms for each oxygen atom.

Water is Marvellous

Water molecules are especially wonderful! They can do things which separate atoms never could. They will play a special part in our story because they have some extraordinary properties.

►    Liquid water expands when it freezes.

►    Water molecules are sticky.

►    This stickiness gave shape to proteins.

Without these features, life as we know it would be impossible. So let's see how and why they arise. It all depends on the bonds between water molecules.