Water molecule: Difference between revisions
From Glossary of Meteorology
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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">A molecule, consisting of one central [[oxygen]] atom and two [[hydrogen]] atoms along an angle of 104& | <div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">A molecule, consisting of one central [[oxygen]] atom and two [[hydrogen]] atoms along an angle of 104°, forming an electrostatic [[dipole]] because of the asymmetric distribution of charge.</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">The dipole results in a high dielectric constant for water, whether in [[vapor]], liquid, or solid form. Resonances in the intermolecular bonds result in [[absorption]] and [[emission]] of [[electromagnetic radiation]] at near- and thermal-infrared wavelengths, hence the importance of [[water vapor]] in the [[greenhouse effect]] in the [[atmosphere]] and water substance as [[precipitation]] in the [[scattering]] and absorption of [[radar]] waves.</div><br/> </div> | ||
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Revision as of 15:27, 20 February 2012
water molecule
A molecule, consisting of one central oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms along an angle of 104°, forming an electrostatic dipole because of the asymmetric distribution of charge.
The dipole results in a high dielectric constant for water, whether in vapor, liquid, or solid form. Resonances in the intermolecular bonds result in absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation at near- and thermal-infrared wavelengths, hence the importance of water vapor in the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere and water substance as precipitation in the scattering and absorption of radar waves.
