h20

h20 is a stylized reference to water, commonly written as H2O in scientific contexts. The term h20 may appear in branding, shorthand, or on digital interfaces as a playful or informal variant, but it is not a standard chemical notation.

Water is a polar molecule composed of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom. The molecule has a bent geometry with an angle of about 104.5 degrees and engages in extensive hydrogen bonding. These interactions give water high surface tension, a high heat capacity, and the ability to dissolve many substances, making it a universal solvent.

Physically, water is a liquid at standard conditions, with a melting point of 0°C and a boiling point of 100°C at one atmosphere of pressure. It is densest near 4°C and becomes less dense when frozen, causing ice to float on liquid water. Water’s high dielectric constant and polarity underlie its solvent properties and its role in supporting chemical and biological processes.

Occurrence and uses: water covers vast portions of Earth’s surface and is essential for all known forms of life. It exists as liquid in oceans, rivers, and groundwater, as ice in polar and high-altitude regions, and as vapor in the atmosphere. Human use spans drinking and sanitation, agriculture, manufacturing, energy production, cooling, and many household and industrial applications. The water cycle describes its continuous movement through environments.

History and naming: the substance has long been known to humanity under common names such as water. The chemical formula H2O, indicating two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, was established in the 18th century as the elemental identities of hydrogen and oxygen were clarified by early scientists.