Is there an explanation as to why water is the only substance found in all three states (solid, liquid, gas)?

Question

Or is it just something we accept?

Wait... water IS the only substance found in all three states, isn't it?

Answer 1

benzene is a solid at 40 .F and will vapourize slightly at 80F

Hg -80F and it will vaporize at room temperature, thats why it is dangerous

All kinds of things can be found in all phases somewhere on the earth, from -140F in artic to 140 in deserts.

Answer 2

When a substance is equilibrium with all three states (solid, liquid, gas) is is said to be at its triple point. The phase of a substance is dependent on its temperature and pressure. The triple point only occurs under certain temperature and pressures. For water its triple point occurs at .0098C and .0060atm. Water is not the only substance that has a triple point. There are many substances that have a triple point.

Maybe I didn't understand the question.

Answer 3

Many chemicals can exist in all 3 states at temperatures found on the earth's surface. For example, benzene is a solid below 5 deg C, a liquid between 5 degs C and 80 deg C and a gas above 80 deg C.

However, water is widely found in nature in a (relatively) pure state. Benzene is not.  

Answer 4

Most things are found in all three states at some specific temperature and pressure value. However, water is the only one that has that specific temperature and pressure value near enough to normal earth surface conditions.

Answer 5

yes, in our life we can only find water in all the three states.

it is because the freezing point is 0'C, and the boiling point is 100'C. so the range is not too big like other substances.

however, technology can makes anything into the states.

Answer 6

At Atmospheric Pressure, Water is the only substance that can exist in all three states at the same time and the same temperature.

(Change of State requires the Addition or Subtraction of Heat Energy, (Latent Heat), but NOT a change in Temperature (Sensible Heat).

Ice is the solid state at 0°C, it can also be water at 0°C and, because Ice can Sublime to vapour (produce a vapour pressure), directly with no liquid phase

The Solid, Liquid and Gaseous Phases (States), will exist together at 0°C.

(Water and Steam also exist together at 100°C and, Water also exerts a vapour pressure at 0°C).

Answer 7

correction: found naturally in all 3 states.

we have the technology to make nearly anything into any of the states.

its pretty much because the melting point and freezing point are so close together, so it doesnt take to much change in temp to change the state. and because its most common state is liquid-the middle one.

make it a good day

Answer 8

Water exists in its 3 states on Earth because of the temperature and pressure ranges that exists on Earth.  There is a graph called the "Triple point of water".  At this triple point, water can exist in all 3 states at the same time and in equilibrium, which is about 0.01C and 0.00603 atm.  If you slightly adjust the temperature and/or pressure, then the water will shift into one of its 3 states.  So for example, you can have water go from solid to liquid (melting), liquid to solid (freezing), liquid to gas (evaporation), gas to liquid (condensation), solid to gas (subliming), and gas to solid (crystallizing)...all by changing its pressure and/or temperature.

As far as I know, water is the only substance that exists NATURALLY in all 3 phases on Earth.  One possible substance, and it's rare, is sulfur can be found in all 3 phases, but would more likely occur in its 3 phases around volcanoes.  Most other things, by adjusting the temperature and/or pressure to extremes, can also have its 3 other phases such as carbon dioxide and methane...and many other substances.