CHAPTER ONE

Water can be defined as an ordourless, colourless and tasteless substance that is found on some parts of the earth’s surface and beneath (either in fluid or solid state).   It moves as water vapour, liquid water and ice. It is constantly changing its form and also water on earth is known by different terms, depending on where it is and where it came from.

USES OF WATER

Water as a natural occurrence substance plays a vital role in many aspects in Human life and World development.

Human Uses

Agriculture: the important use of water in agriculture is for irrigation, which is a key component to produce enough food. Irrigation takes up to 90% of water withdrawn in some developing countries.

Recreation: human uses water for many recreational purposes, as well as for exercising and sports. Some of these include swimming, boating water skiing, and surfing. In addition some sports like ice hockey and ice skating are played on ice, Humans also use water for snow sports like snowboarding etc. which require the water to be frozen.

Food processing: water can be used to cool foods, boiling, seaming and simmering are popular cooking methods that require immersing food in water. Water is also used for dishwashing; water also plays many critical roles within the field of food science.

Transportation: the use of water for transportation through river canals is a key factor in the country’s development.

Chemical Uses  

Water is widely used in chemical reactions as a solvent or recreational and less commonly as a solute or catalyst.

Fire extinction: water has a high heat of vaporization and is relatively inert, which makes it a good fire extinguishing fluid.

Heat exchange: water and steam are a common fluid used for heat exchange, due to its availability and high heat capacity, both for cooking and heating.