váz

Víz, Hungarian for water, is a chemical substance with the formula H2O. It is a polar inorganic compound that is essential for all known forms of life.

At room temperature it is a liquid that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It has high surface tension and a high heat capacity, arising from extensive hydrogen bonding between molecules. These properties give water a stabilizing role in climate and biological systems.

Earth’s water is distributed unevenly. About 97% of it is saline, leaving a small fraction of freshwater. Of that freshwater, most is locked in glaciers and groundwater, with only a minority found in lakes, rivers, and the atmosphere. Surface freshwater supports most terrestrial ecosystems and human use.

Water acts as a universal solvent and medium for chemical reactions in living organisms. It also regulates climate by storing and transferring heat, supports weather systems, and provides transport for nutrients and wastes within organisms and in the environment.

Humans use water for drinking and cooking, agriculture, industry, energy generation, and sanitation. Managing freshwater involves treatment to remove contaminants and pathogens, as well as policies to ensure sustainable supply and protect ecosystems.

Disruptions to supply or quality, such as pollution or drought, can have lasting health and economic effects. Understanding water resources and protecting watersheds is a key part of environmental and public health planning.