firestorm650 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 What would the earth be like if H20 was a linear molecule? I was thinking about this during chemistry:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetrahedrite Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 To start with, you wouldn't be here to ask this question. The earth would most probably be dry and desolate. the boiling point of water would probably be similar to that of CO2 (around -80 deg C, also a linear molecule) and life would therefore be impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'n Refsmmat Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 That is, if we rule out the possibility that it's possible for life to exist without water. (A major problem with responses such as tetrahedrite's is simply a lack of imagination.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustStuit Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 It would also lose its polar properties wouldn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm650 Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 i mean, would water have a different shape to it? and how about its properties (other than boiling/freezing point, and polarity) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustStuit Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Being non-polar would vastly change nearly all of its properties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm650 Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 what would "nearly all properties" be? (sorry, im not that big in chem, bigger fan of bio) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustStuit Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Lower Boiling point, less water tension, nonsoluable, would react to other elements/compunds much differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm650 Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 Oh okay, got it. Thanks for all the help guys, everything came together now:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm650 Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 how about the shape of water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akcapr Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 it would still be liquid, just no hydrogen bonds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj47 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 It would also be less cohesive so tall plants and trees could not take up water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetrahedrite Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 it would still be liquid, just no hydrogen bonds I don't think it would be a liquid at STP. A linear, non-polar molecule of such a low molecular weight would almost certainly be a gas under these conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdurg Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Heh. I really hope I'm reading this wrong, but your intial post asked: What if water was a linear molecule? So when you asked: how about the shape of water I kind of chuckled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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