Volume Occupied by One Molecule of Water

Introduction

Water is a unique compound that has several important properties that make it essential for life. One such property is its density, which is 1 gram per cubic centimeter. In this response, we will discuss the volume occupied by one molecule of water.

Explanation

To determine the volume occupied by one molecule of water, we need to first understand the molecular structure of water. Water is a polar molecule, which means it has a positive end and a negative end. The positive end is the hydrogen atoms, and the negative end is the oxygen atom.

The molecular formula of water is H2O, which means it has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The distance between the two hydrogen atoms is approximately 0.96 angstroms, and the distance between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms is approximately 0.96 angstroms.

Using these measurements, we can calculate the volume occupied by one molecule of water using the formula for the volume of a sphere. The radius of a water molecule is approximately 0.96 angstroms, which gives us a volume of approximately 2.76 x 10^-23 cubic centimeters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the volume occupied by one molecule of water is approximately 2.76 x 10^-23 cubic centimeters. This small volume is due to the compact molecular structure of water, which allows it to have a high density despite its low molecular weight.

Density of water (ρ) = 1g/cm3

Molar mass of water (M) = 18 g/mol

∴ Molar volume (Vm) = M/ρ

Vm = 18 cm3/mol

∴ Volume of 1 molecule of water = Vm/NA

Where NA is Avogadro number

Volume of 1 molecule of water = 18/(6.022 × 1023)

Volume of 1 molecule of water = 2.989 × 10-23 ≈ 3 × 10-23.