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Liquid water

Does liquid water change shape?

Aaron A
student - Delta, Ohio
2006

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You don't understand the question whatsoever, do you "Aaron"? Please advise what grade you are in and we'll try.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

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2006

Liquid water does change shape - it depends on the geometry of the container and the relative effects of gravity.

However, you may be thinking about the work done in the 1990's about the "memory effects" in water where the molecular structure is influenced by any solutes in it. This has been used to explain how homeopathic treatments work.

For what it is worth, I don't understand how homeopathy works in practice although I have a basic understanding of the theory. Either way, I have used it with some regular success. Therefore, if water does have a memory effect, it is real as the experimental result is positive.

Trevor Crichton
- Chesham, UK

Maybe Aaron (or his teacher) are speaking hypothetically. Then, there's solid and gaseous water (ice and vapor are just nicknameS). Only liquids and gases change shape to conform to their containers.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2006

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I suspect that Aaron was supposed to be learning that solids are defined by changing in neither shape nor volume, liquids in shape but not in volume, and gases in both shape and volume. I suspect that he posted his homework question to try to get marked as understanding it although he didn't. Just a guess based on having been young once :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006