Drinking Water Topics for Science Fair Projects

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Name: Belen
Grade Level 7th
Awards: Mid Columbia Science Fair. Distinction for Creativity. Washington State Science and Engineering Fair,second place ribbon.

RESEARCH REPORT

Introduction
Water is a very abundant resource that is important in nature. Although water is extremely important for nature, it can be harmful and dangerous. Drinking water that is acidic can cause serious damage to everyone and everything. It can be harmful from people and animals to pipes the water runs through. Water that is a base can be corrosive to metals as well as to a person's skin and tissues.

Water
Water is one of the most water plentiful resources on earth. It is one of the world's most important liquids. 3/4 of the earth's surface is covered by water. However, water is also present in the air as vapor, which condensed into clouds, may cause precipitation.

Scientist believe that water follows a cycle. Water evaporates and then forms into clouds, which may cause rain. When it rains surface water remains on the land. The molecules of water contain two atoms of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen. The oxygen atom provides 89% of weight. Water exists in a liquid state a gaseous state, or a solid state. Water molecules changed between the three states depending on heat. Ice holds shape by an electrical attraction between molecules, which become fixed and bind. Water in liquid form has enough heat to move molecules rapidly. However, liquid water has no arrangement so it takes the shape of its container. Water vapor or steam has molecules moving swiftly due to further increased heat. Temperature and pressure determines changes in physical state of water. Water's density is defined as 1.0. If an object is denser than water it sinks and the less dense the object will float. One cubic foot of water is equal to 62.4 pounds. On the other hand, seawater is heavier than fresh water because it has 35 pounds of salt in each of 1000 pounds of water. The pressure water exerts increases, as it gets deeper.

There are three isotopes of oxygen in water. These isotopes can be formed into nine different ways to make the water molecules different in weight. One of the oxygen isotopes is formatted with water because the isotope makes 99% of the worlds oxygen. Isotopes move important hydrogen, which are also called isotopes portion. There are single weight hydrogen, deuterium double weight hydrogen, and tritium triple weight hydrogen. The protium with oxygen forms light water and the deuterium with oxygen forms heavy water. Tritium with oxygen produces super heavy water. Ordinary water consist light water, but mostly with H2O in it. The formula for heavy water is D2O, which is heavier than H2O by 10%, but found in 5000 parts of ordinary water. To separate heavy water from light water a system called electrolysis is used or by an evaporation. D2O reacts more slowly to electrolysis than H2O. The heavy water appears after the light water disappears.

In addition, scientist use heavy water in order to slow nuclear reactions. Super heavy water called tritium oxide has a formula of T2O. Not a lot is known about this type of water, but it is difficult to find. Therefore, it is used to observe radioactive ness on the effect of water upon various organic compounds. This is also used to detect or follow with the help of a special instrument. Pure water is never found where water is excellent for many minerals. This also picks where water flows.

Chemists, on the other hand, use distill water to obtain pure water for delicate substances. The water itself forms many water substances. When the term prefix hydra is used, it means that it is in the chemical terms hydrate. When hydroxide is present, it shows that the water contained a substance. The molecules in the water that are removed from the substance is called Anhydrous or dehydrated meaning no water.

Water is an extremely difficult substance to control. However, the only force that controls water is called gravity. This force allows for water to remain in rivers, basins, oceans, etc. Water does not stagnate to the ocean from land surfaces in a lifeless desert. Moreover, water continually evaporates from oceans and other bodies of water by the sun or heat. Water is also blown by the winds across the sea or land. It turns into vapor and is suspended into the atmosphere. The water vapors form clouds in the atmosphere based on the weather conditions. However, when water is accumulated at great amounts in the clouds, it returns to the land in the form of rain or snow. The process of moving water from the ocean to the earth is called 'The Water Cycle.' With the force of gravity the sun, air, and water work together to keep the water cycle moving. Some of the major steps in the water cycle are the evaporation caused by the sun's heat, the transpiration of the water, the condensation of cold air, and the precipitation of water by gravity to oceans. The water also forms rivers, moist soil for plants, which then evaporates into the air.

Most of the water returned to the earth is often from the ocean. When it rains, plants soil allows the water to trickle down to the roots. When there is a heavy rainfall the plants soil soaks up to much water so the top surface is covered in water. This is called surface water. From the surface, the water runs off and flows wherever it may be contained. Water then flows through a clear-cut of channels moving downward to the ocean. Ground water exists at varying levels at depth when water that in filters the soil trickles down or percolates through pores. The cracks in the soil holding water called aquifers become saturated with the water and then can't hold any more water. Though groundwater is a major source of fresh water, scientists estimate that may be enough water.

Groundwater evaporates into plants and then the plants store the water in their leaves and roots from which the evaporated groundwater comes through. This is a process called transpiration. A fully oak tree transpires 100 gallons of water, while an acre of corn transpires 3000-4000 gallons of water. The top most level of groundwater is called the water table. This may be close to the earth's surface or beneath the soils hundreds of feet below. This is deep cut into the earth's exposure water table. Then the water runs off into streams or rivers. The water table rises and falls by the climate conditions or by the amount of precipitation used by vegetation. Damage may occur though to the water table if it gets over filled. This is a threat to plants. When the soil for plants is very dry then the groundwater seeps up to the surface and then evaporates, but it's not replaced. If the water table goes lower and lower then a drought may occur. If the area the water table is in which would be a well water area it can affect the area. The water table may only rise during a heavy rainfall.

Moreover, every living creature on the planet needs water for his or her survival. In the bodies of most living things there is about sixty percent of water. However, a million years ago the first forms of life were in the sea. Through evolution, the creatures evolved to land, but still required water in order to survive. Water is a life sustaining liquid that nourishes the living tissues in animals blood or plant sap. There is exactly two and a half quarts of water in the human tissue. Without water, creatures would not be able to survive on this earth.

Furthermore, water is important for the development of varying countries. Water circulates throughout the world. However, many areas lack large amounts of water. Therefore, the best place for man to settle is where water is located. In the city, the water comes from faucets through a source of a river or large body of water. If water stopped flowing throughout a city, people would have to find a new settlement where water would be available. The climate also affects the surroundings of places, which rely on water to survive. For example, crops of man depend on water to survive. In the United States about 100 billion gallons of water are used by farmers to water their crops. Water is important for the development of man and its cities. However, water can be extremely dangerous for everyone and everything. For example water can turn into floods, sleet, hail, snow, or a heavy rainstorm that cause millions of dollars of destruction.

Water is essential in the daily usage of every living creature. Water stores great amounts of heat, which help living things, survive during wide changes in temperature. People drink up to one quart of water everyday. Food supplies the rest of the water content that our bodies need. The preparation of foods mostly involves water. So to prevent food spoilage, the water is taken out or dried out. City and country people need to need to have fifty gallons of water per day for personal or household uses. Some of those uses are for drinking, washing, preparing meals, and removing waste. An amazing fact is that most bathtubs use about twenty-five gallons of water per bath. Sprinklers, heating systems, shops, homes, or buildings also consume about twenty-five gallons of water. In the United States about 110 billion gallons of water is consumed to immediate reuse. This includes industries, irrigation, fire fighting, and street cleaning. Water is very important to industries that use plants because they produce electricity, heat, and power for factories and communities. Companies need water in order to produce their products.

Although water can be dangerous to nature, it is essential for the survival of every living creature on earth. Without water, no living thing could survive. It is important in order for the world to function properly, even though it can be dangerous. Water is abundant and everyone needs to realize that this resource is excellent for survival. 

Acids
An acid has a sour taste. It reacts with metals and contains hydrogen. Most acids forms are nonmetals; a substance that produces hydronium ions in a water solution. The formula for this is H3O+. Many acids are poisonous and corrosive to the skin. Acids must be handled with extreme care. Some examples of acids are vinegar which is an arctic acid, and buttermilk which is lattice acid. Some examples of citric acid are found in lemons, oranges, and grapefruit. Hydrochloric acid is what aids stomach digestion. Carbonic acid keeps our blood at the right acidity level. The three major acids that are used in laboratories and in industries are nitric acid, H2SO4, hydrochloric acid, HNO3, and sulfuric acid, HCl. These three acids are greater than any other chemical in the United States. 

Furthermore, acids are used for paints, plastics, and fertilizers. Some acids are used to make other acids and other dehydrating agents. Acids also remove water in objects. Sulfuric acid burns skin and may cause damage to clothing. This certain acid is produced in laboratories. Concentrated sulfuric acid reacts with many different things in many different ways. One of those things is copper. Just sulfuric acid with copper does not react with each other. Nitric acid is oily and not thick like sulfuric acid. If nitric acid touches the skin then a stain result occurs. This acid is produce in laboratories by heating sodium nitrate with concentrated sulfuric acid. Acids can cause harm to lungs and can destroy skin. Acids also clean bricks and metals, meaning that they can be considered cleaning agents or can be called muriatic acids. These acids are used in large quantities for steel and industries for pickling. In a process it removes oxides and other impurities from steel surfaces.

In conclusion, acids are harmful to the skin, but can be excellent in cleaning agents. However, certain acids can be dangerous to the lungs and therefore should not be used on a regular bases. Acids should not be consumed and should be kept out of the reach of young children. Proper maintenance of all acids is required when used. 

Bases
The properties of bases are mostly alike as acids. They taste bitter and feel slippery. Though they are not safe to identify using taste and touch they are poisonous and corrosive to skin if they are strong. Bases also break down fats. This is a substance which produces hydroxide ions in the water solution. Strong bases are called sodium hydroxide, NaOH. A strong base is a corrosive chemical. This breaks down oil and grease used as a drain cleaner or in soap making. These are prepared by electrolysis of saltwater brine. A lab prepares this by reacting calcium hydroxide with sodium carbonate in a water solution. Another important base is ammonia, NH3. It is a gas at room temperature and when used in a household the ammonia becomes into a solution of ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH. This is made by dissolving ammonia in water which is found in cleansers and in window cleaners. These are useful inpreperations of fertilizers. Only these, in a lab, are prepared by heating mixture of ammonium chloride and calcium hydroxide. Most organic bases are related to ammonia by their structure and properties. One class of organic acids is called amines, which are compounds that contain hydrocarbon chains with nitrogen and hydrogen. Amines use solvents and reacts in preparation of dyes. Such as medicines and fibers.

Ions in Acids and Bases
Pure water contains both ions and molecules. About one in every 500,000,000 water molecules break up and form ions. Ions are formed by hydronium, H3O+. There are an equal number of ions in pure water. Though the ratio changes when an acid base is added. The acid increases the amount of hydronium ions. Hydronium ions produce hydrogen in acid which combines with the water molecules. The addition base increases the amount of hydroxide ions in water. Hydroxide ions in water dissolve the sodium hydroxide. Compounds contain OH are bases, but not all of them. Alcohol contains an OH group. Alcohols don't break down from hydroxide ions. Though they're not classified as a base. Zinc hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide may act as an acid or a base. An acid base is classified as a strong or weak base. A strong acid base breaks the ions in water then sodium hydroxide forms, Na+, hydroxide ions in the water. A weak acid base does not completely break up the added water, though the weak acid base particles in the water are molecular form than the ions. A carbonic acid is weak in both molecules and ions in the water. The number of H3O+ or hydroxide ions has a solution of equal concentration relative strengths of an acid and base.

pH
pH is a term that indicates hydrogen ion. It is the concentration of solutions or the solution of acidity. The H is actually H+ which represents hydrogen ion. This may also be called as hydrogen power. H+ ions concentration is defined as negative logarithm. The formula concentration of H+ ions is in moles per liter. Though when H+ ions associate with water molecules they form hydronium ions, H3O+. pH is often expressed in terms of concentration of hydronium ions. Hydroxyl ions, OH-, exist in equal quantities in pure water at twenty-two degrees Celsius. The concentration of each is 1 X 10 -7 moles/liter. This creates a neutral solution. The pH in pure water is 7. If acid is added excess of H3O+ ions is formed. If the concentration exceeds the H3O+ to OH- the solution becomes an acidic. In an acidic solution the concentration of hydronium ions range from 1 to 1 X 10 -7 moles/liter. This depends on the strength and amount of pH. The pH ranging goes up to 0 to 14. If a ranging is 0-7 that means that's an acid solution. Any lower numbers is a stronger acid. If the concentration of OH- exceeds H3O+ the solution then is basic. A basic solution has hydroxyl ions that range 1 to 1X10 -7 moles/liter. The concentration of hydronium ions ranges 1 X10 -14 to 1X10 -7 moles/liter. The pH range from 14 down to 7, but not including 7 is basic. The higher the pH reading the base is stronger. A pH solution is measured by titration that consist neutralization of an acid or a base measured as an acid or a base known as a concentration. Or it can be called a presence indicator. The pH solution can be determined by measuring electric potential rising specie electrodes immersed in a solution. The pH guide shows a pH1 is a strong acid, pH3 is an acid, pH7 is neutral, pH10 is a base, and pH 12 is a strong base. If a pH level is lower than 7 it is an acid, if at a level at 7 it's neutral, and if the pH level is above 7 then it's a base or an other name is alkali. The pH scale is a table of 0-14. An indicator of pH is litmus paper which changes colors to determine the amount of pH. The pH logarithmic function is a ten fold in pH. In the United States of America the natural pH water system ranges from6.8-8.5.

Summary
Water is essential in our everyday lives in order to function properly. In water, acids and bases can be found. Strong acids or bases can be dangerous to the human body. Furthermore, pH is a term that helps scientist and researches determine whether water is harmful or not and whether it contains bases or acids that can be harmful to the skin and body. Water is a bountiful resource. It is essential in the survival of every living thing on the earth. YES for water!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the following people for helping make my project possible:
* My parents for encouraging me throughout my stressful times on this project
* My friends for telling me to never give up
* Debbie Breismister for letting me use the pH meter
* My teacher Mr. Newkirk for giving me the opportunity to do this again Abstract