5. Chemical properties of Water

The chemical properties of water are listed below:

Pure water is neutral; hence it does not react with litmus paper.

 

Water is a chemical molecule that is highly stable. When heated to normal temperatures, it does not break down into elements. However, when heated to \(2000\)°C, \(0.02\ \)% of the water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen gas.

 

In a variety of reactions, water acts as a catalyst. In the presence of sunlight, perfectly dry hydrogen and chlorine gases do not react. However, when there are traces of water present, the reaction results in an explosion, resulting in hydrogen chloride.

 

At room temperature, water reacts with metals like sodium, potassium and calcium vigorously. When sodium combines with water, hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide solution are produced. The hydrogen gas catches fire and burns as a result of the heat produced in this reaction.

 

 

Magnesium is a little more sluggish. It produces hydrogen and magnesium hydroxide solution when it combines with hot water.

 

$\mathit{Mg}+2H_{2}O\stackrel{}{⟶}{\mathit{Mg}\left(\mathit{OH}\right)}_3+H_{2\left(g\right)}$

Many other metals form oxides and hydroxides when they react with water. Iron is one of these metals that produces iron oxide, commonly known as rust. Corrosion is the slow and gradual rusting of iron.

 

Copper will not react with water at any temperature. That is the reason we use copper for making pipes and boilers.

Water gas (\(CO_2+H_2\)) is produced when red hot carbon (coke) reacts with steam. Hydrochloric acid is produced when chlorine gas dissolves in water.