The Chemistry of Water

Anyone who has ever taken a chemistry class knows the formula for water, H2O. Considering that water covers three quarters of the surface of the Earth and is essential for life, you'd think we'd know everything about it. But scientists have only skimmed the surface, so to speak. Water expands and floats as it freezes, whereas most other fluids become more dense. Fog and sea spray contain dissolved substances that erode rock masses and react with the atmosphere in surprising ways. A new National Science Foundation special report on the chemistry of water covers the latest research questions about this curious substance that are being explored by top scientists from around the world.