Is Water Actually Wet? A Dive into the Ongoing Debate
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Understanding the Wetness Debate
Here's a thought-provoking question that could spark lively discussion during your next Zoom call: Is water wet?
If you ask Chaz Smith, a popular YouTuber, he would assert that the answer is a clear no. He humorously argues that water itself cannot be wet:
Though presented as a meme, this question has continued to intrigue many. So, is water genuinely wet?
While this inquiry leans toward philosophical exploration, let’s examine the scientific perspective.
The Scientific Definition of Wetness
In scientific terms, wetness is defined as the capacity of a liquid to adhere to a solid's surface. When we describe an object as wet, we mean that liquid clings to it. The extent to which a liquid adheres to a solid determines how wet the object is. For instance, if a surface repels water (like a freshly waxed car), then no water will stick, rendering it not wet.
What influences the adherence of a liquid to a surface? It boils down to the interplay between the liquid's cohesive forces (its tendency to stick to itself) and the adhesive forces of the surface (how well it clings to the surface).
- Strong Cohesive Forces: The liquid will tend to stick to itself rather than to the surface.
- Strong Adhesive Forces: The liquid will adhere to the surface, making it appear “wet.”
Interestingly, different liquids exhibit varying cohesive forces. Water, for instance, has a relatively high cohesive force compared to substances like oil or alcohol, making it more challenging to wet a surface with water than with oil.
What About Water Itself?
While the above definitions help evaluate whether solids are wet, they lead us back to our central question. According to the definition of wetness, Chaz Smith’s claim holds water—pun intended. Water cannot be considered wet in itself because it has no solid surface to cling to.
However, under a more colloquial interpretation of “wet,” which refers to being composed of liquid, water certainly qualifies as wet. Thus, it appears that Smith might indeed be correct; water isn't intrinsically wet on its own—it only exhibits this property when in contact with a solid material.
This reasoning extends to other liquids, such as oil and alcohol; they too are not wet by themselves, only when they adhere to a surface.
To add to the discussion, a survey conducted on a college campus revealed that only 48% of students labeled water as “wet,” while the remaining 52% disagreed. Similarly, the UCSB Science Line concludes that, based on the common definition of wetness, water is not wet in isolation.
Not everyone agrees, though. Some, like the East Texan student paper, advocate a definition of wetness that includes being in contact with a liquid, suggesting that since water interacts with itself, it is wet.
The question remains open-ended, blending scientific inquiry with personal philosophy. Ultimately, the pressing question might just be: Can you drink it?