Introduction
Have you ever wondered what makes up most of
our bodies and
Earth's surface? The answer is
water! Water is a clear liquid that we drink every day. It covers most of the Earth and is
important for all living things to stay healthy and alive. Our bodies need water to work properly, like helping us digest food and stay cool. Plants, animals, and humans all need water to
survive. Without water, life on Earth wouldn’t be possible. It's also
used for washing, cooking, and cleaning.

Think about it—every living creature, from the tiniest insect to the largest animal, needs water to stay alive and healthy. Isn't that amazing?
Are Ice and Water the Same Substance?
Yes, ice and water are two different forms, or states, of the same substance. This means that even though they look and behave differently, they are made of the same basic material.
For example:
- When water is in its liquid state, it can flow and take the shape of its container. It can also splash around.
- When water freezes and becomes ice, it becomes solid and does not flow. Ice can hold its shape and does not splash like water.

So, while ice and water behave differently, they are actually the same substance in different states.
Question for Chapter Notes: A Journey through States of Water
Try yourself:
What do ice and water represent?Explanation
- Ice and water are not different substances; they are the same substance in different states.
- Water exists as a liquid that can flow and take the shape of its container.
- Ice is the solid form of water, which holds its shape and does not flow.
- Understanding this helps us see how the same material can behave differently based on its state.
Report a problem
Investigating Water's Disappearing Act
Do you know, Where the water goes after the rain stops? Can you explain where the water goes when we sprinkle it on a hot pan while making dosa and it disappears?
The water sprinkled on the hot pan gets converted into steam, which is actually water vapor. Some of this vapor condenses back into water droplets.

Water Vapour in Steam: Water vapour is not visible on its own. However, when it condenses into tiny droplets of water, as seen in steam, it becomes visible.
Evaporation: Water Turning into Vapor
- The process of converting water into its vapor state is called evaporation.
- Evaporation occurs continuously, even at room temperature.
- Examples include drying wet clothes, mopping the floor, and sweat evaporating from our body.

Reason for Water Disappearing from Puddles
It is because of:
(i) water seeping into the ground
(ii) evaporation of water
Question for Chapter Notes: A Journey through States of Water
Try yourself:
Which process describes the change of water into a gas called water vapor?Explanation
- Evaporation is the process of changing water into a gas called water vapor.
- It is a common occurrence in everyday life, such as when wet clothes dry or when sweat on our skin dries.
Report a problem
Another Mystery
Can you explain why water droplets form on a cold water bottle when it's taken out of the fridge?
Water droplets form on the cold water bottle because water vapor in the air touches the cold surface and changes into liquid water. This process is called condensation.

What is Condensation?
- The water droplets form because water vapor in the air comes into contact with the cold surface of the glass surface and condenses into liquid water. This process is known as condensation.
- For example, when warm, moist air from the plants cools down quickly, like on a cold glass or a leaf, the water changes back into liquid water. This is why you see water droplets on cold surfaces in the morning.

- Humidity: Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air.
What are the Different States of Water?

Water can be seen in three different states in our daily life: solid, liquid, and gas.
- Ice (Solid State): Ice keeps its shape no matter what container it is in. It does not flow or spread.
For example stones, wood, and glass - Water (Liquid State): Water takes the shape of its container, flows, and spreads. It has a constant volume but can change shape. Water can take the shape of the container used.
For example milk and oil. - Water Vapour (Gaseous State): Water vapour spreads out to fill the entire space available. Gases do not have a fixed shape. Water vapour is present in the air around us, even at room temperature, although we cannot see it. It is produced when water evaporates, such as when clothes dry or floors are mopped.
For example air, steam.
Question for Chapter Notes: A Journey through States of Water
Try yourself:
Where does water go when it is sprinkled on a hot pan?Explanation
- When water is sprinkled on a hot pan, it heats up quickly.
- The heat causes the water to change into steam, which is water vapor.
- This steam is not visible on its own until it condenses back into tiny droplets.
- Therefore, the correct answer is that the water becomes steam.
Report a problem
How can we change the States of Water?
Can we change the state of water by adding or removing heat? If yes, how?
Yes, we can change the state of water by adding or removing heat. When we heat water, it turns into steam (gas). When we cool water, it turns into ice (solid). By changing the temperature, we can make water switch between liquid, gas, and solid states.

Let’s discuss melting and freezing:
- Melting: Melting is the process of changing from a solid state (ice) to a liquid state (water).
- Freezing: Freezing is the process of changing from a liquid state (water) to a solid state (ice).
What is an Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) Machine?
- An Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) machine is a device that produces drinkable water by collecting moisture from humid air.
- How Does it Work?: The AWG machine works by cooling the air, which causes the water vapor in the air to condense into liquid water. This process is similar to the way droplets of water form on the outside of a cold glass of ice water.
Question for Chapter Notes: A Journey through States of Water
Try yourself:
What is the process of water changing from a gaseous state to a liquid state?Explanation
- Condensation is the process of water vapor changing into liquid water when it comes into contact with a cold surface.
- This process is seen when water droplets form on the outside of a cold glass or on leaves in the morning.
Report a problem
How can water be Evaporated Faster or Slower?
Can you explain why clothes dry faster on a windy day?

Clothes dry faster on a windy day because there is more air in contact with the cloths. This air takes away moisture with it and helps increase the rate of evaporation,

Factors affecting evaporation:
- Water evaporates faster with higher temperatures, wind, and a larger surface area.
- To slow down evaporation, we can lower the temperature, reduce airflow, and cover the surface of the water.
- These factors control how quickly water changes from liquid to gas.
Humidity on Rainy Days
- Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air.
- On rainy days, the air contains more water vapor, which increases humidity.
- That's why cloths and sweat take more time to dry on rainy days.
|
Download the notes
Chapter Notes: A Journey through States of Water
|
Download as PDF
|
Cooling Effect of Evaporation
Can you explain why we feel cooler under a fan?
We feel cooler under a fan because the moving air helps evaporate sweat from our skin which takes away heat with it, which cools us down.

Cooling effect of evaporation
When water evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings, causing a cooling effect. This phenomenon can be observed in various daily activities and objects.
Examples:
- Sweating: When we sweat, the evaporation of sweat from our skin takes away body heat, cooling us down.
- Earthen Pots: Water seeps through the porous surface of earthen pots and evaporates, keeping the stored water cool.
- Sprinkling Water: Sprinkling water on the floor or roof in summer can cool the area as the water evaporates.
Question for Chapter Notes: A Journey through States of Water
Try yourself:
How does water change from solid to liquid?Explanation
- Water changes from solid (ice) to liquid (water) through a process called melting.
- This occurs when heat is added to the ice, increasing its temperature.
- As the temperature rises, the solid structure of ice breaks down, and it transforms into liquid water.
- So, adding heat is the key factor that enables water to change from solid to liquid.
Report a problem
How Do Clouds Give Us Rain?

Role of Condensation in the Water Cycle
- Condensation is crucial for returning evaporated water to the Earth's surface.
- As air rises above the Earth's surface, it cools down. When the air cools to a certain point, the water vapor in it condenses into tiny droplets. These droplets usually form around dust particles.
- The tiny droplets gather together to form clouds. When these droplets combine and become larger, they eventually fall as rain.

|
Take a Practice Test
Test yourself on topics from Class 6 exam
|
Practice Now
|
Water Availability and Conservation
- A small portion of Earth's water is suitable for use by plants, animals, and humans. Most of the water is in the oceans and is not directly usable.
- Water is essential for drinking and various activities. The water demand is increasing, leading to shortages in many areas.
- It is important to use water wisely, avoid wastage, and keep water bodies free from pollution.
Why Does Water Vapour in the Air Rise?
When air contains a lot of water vapour, it becomes lighter than the surrounding air. This is similar to how gas balloons filled with lighter gases rise in the atmosphere. The water vapour in the air makes it less dense, allowing it to rise higher in the atmosphere.

Question for Chapter Notes: A Journey through States of Water
Try yourself:
Which of the following factors will increase the rate of evaporation of water?Explanation
- Water evaporates faster with a larger surface area as more water molecules are exposed to the air.
Report a problem
Key Points
- Evaporation: The process where liquid water changes into water vapour.
- Condensation: The process where water vapour changes back into liquid water.
- States of Water: Solid (ice), liquid (water), gas (water vapour).
- State Changes: Melting (solid to liquid), freezing (liquid to solid), evaporation (liquid to gas), condensation (gas to liquid).
- Factors Affecting Evaporation: Temperature, surface area, air movement, and humidity.
- Cooling Effect: Caused by the evaporation of water, taking heat from the surroundings.
- Cloud and Rain Formation: Through the condensation of water vapour and the combination of water droplets.
- Water Cycle: This refers to the continuous movement of water between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere.