Water in Different Forms

Water in Different Forms – Introduction

Did you know that water, the stuff we drink and swim in, can come in three different forms? Water can be solid like the ice in your freezer, liquid like the water in your glass and gas like the steam from a kettle. Let’s learn all about the different forms of water.

What are the Three Forms of Water?

Solid

When water gets very cold, below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), it freezes and becomes ice. Ice is hard and cold, and it floats on water. This is why icebergs can float in the ocean!

Liquid

This is the water form we see and use the most. It's liquid at room temperature and fills lakes, rivers and our drinking glasses. Liquid water is essential for all living things to survive.

Gas

When water gets heated up, it turns into steam or water vapour. This is the gas form of water. You can see steam when you boil water on the stove or when you see fog on a chilly day.

Characteristics of Water Forms

Solid Water (Ice)

• Feels Cold: Ice is the solid state of water, formed when the temperature drops below 0°C (32°F). It feels cold to the touch because it absorbs heat from its surroundings, including your hand when you touch it.
• Hard and Can Be Picked Up: Unlike liquid water, ice holds its shape, making it hard and solid. This allows you to pick it up or carve it into shapes, making ice versatile for various uses, from sculptures to ice cubes in your drink.
• Used in Drinks to Keep Them Cool: Ice cubes or crushed ice are commonly used to chilled beverages. The ice absorbs heat from the drink, lowering its temperature, and as the ice melts, it keeps the drink cold without diluting its flavour as quickly as other cooling methods might.

Liquid Water

• Wet and Flows: Liquid water can move, meaning it can flow from one place to another.
• Fills the Shape of Containers: Water's ability to take the shape of its container makes it unique. Whether in a glass, a bath, or a lake, water levels out and spreads, filling every nook and cranny.
• Drunk by All Living Things: All living organisms need water to survive. Plants, animals and humans all depend on liquid water for hydration and life.

Gas Water (Steam or Water Vapour)

• Invisible and Floats in the Air: When water becomes gas, as steam or water vapour, it's usually invisible to the naked eye. However, you can sometimes see steam as a mist or fog when it starts to condense back into tiny water droplets in the air.
• Can Condense on Cool Surfaces as Water Droplets: Water vapour condenses, or cools down, back into liquid water when it comes into contact with cooler surfaces. This is why you might see water droplets on the outside of a cold glass or on bathroom mirrors after a hot shower.
• Used for Cooking, Like Steaming Vegetables: Steam is a powerful tool for cooking because it transfers heat really well without drying out the food. Steaming vegetables, for example, helps retain their colour, texture and nutrients better than boiling in water, making it a preferred method for preserving the quality of the food.

Comparison of the Forms of Water

Sometimes you need to be able to identify different forms of water. Use these questions to help you tell these different forms of water apart:

Forms of Water Experiment

Let's explore how water can transform into its three different forms: solid, liquid and gas.

Forms of Water Quiz

Let's test your knowledge about water's forms!

Water in Different Forms – Summary

If you're curious about more wonders of our planet, check out our learning text on different bodies of water in an area.

Water in Different Forms – Frequently Asked Questions