2007-01-15 08:29:39 · 11 answers · asked by bleu 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
By un-fresh, do you mean not potable? Yes, water is a great growth media. Depending on the airborne contaminates, where the water is standing it is possible for all sorts of nasty microorganisms to start growing.
By un-fresh, do you mean saline? As in salt or fresh water. Yes, again depending on the airborne contaminates, ionic compounds are very common in soil. So if you store your sample where dirt can blow into it, expect it to pick up salt content.
If by un-fresh, you mean stale? Then yes. Calm water absorbs gasses. And these gasses can make the water taste funny. One of the processes they perform on drinking water is aeration. They spray the water out in a stream or bubble air through. This process actually drives gasses out of the water.
The solvation properties of gases are the exact opposite as those for solids. To make solids go into solution you: heat, stir and divide the solute. To make gasses go into solution you: cool, still and consolidate the solute (also add pressure).
2007-01-15 08:58:47 · answer #1 · answered by James H 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, eventually. Depending on whether you're talking about tap water, lake water, etc... it will happen after different periods of time.
In typical chlorinated drinking water, the chlorine residual will dissipate. If there's any assimilable DOC (dissolved organic carbon) in the water, there's something there to support SOME kind of bacterial culture which can surely find its way there. As the first colonies grow and die off, that provides nutrients for other organisms. It cascades from there.
So.... yes, it can go "unfresh" to the point that I wouldn't drink it.
2007-01-15 16:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Freshness" in drinking water is a complicated phenomenon that depends upon dissolved solutes (minerals) and dissolved gases. The dissolved gases are what can decrease with exposure. Distilled water, and tap water that has been boiled has a characteristic dull or "flat" taste that can be improved, or "freshened" by shaking the container to mix air back into the water.
Another issue is that of chlorination. Chlorine will be lost to the atmosphere as water sits out, making it possible for microbes to grow. These may be introduced by dust in the atmosphere, or from the non-sterile container. Over several days (or longer) microbes can make the once-fresh water stagnant and possibly a threat to health.
2007-01-15 16:42:27 · answer #3 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water can go "stale". If you leave it in a glass or other container for a while, the water sediments settle and the water interacts with the air causing some very slow moving chemical processes which can create some ill-tasting chemicals. Water left in a plastic container for a while, no matter how pure, takes on the flavor of the plastic container, especially if the container gets warmed over time.
2007-01-15 16:38:59 · answer #4 · answered by Christopher L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water is a chemical compund. It is not fresh or unfresh by itself.
Water that humans come in contact with has impurities in it. Minerals, bacteria, viruses, etc.
If you have pure distilled water in a sterile container it will stay that way forever ... but it probably will not taste very good.
2007-01-15 16:35:29 · answer #5 · answered by themountainviewguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I myself have heard this. I do not believe it. Like all chemists, I truly believe that water is a pure substance. And all substances, from whatever source they come, have the same properties as every other sample of the same substance.
You like your water aerated with air. Here's how to do it. Fill a glass with ice cubes. Fill the glass to the top with water. Drink deeply and satisfyingly. Refill and drink two more times. Result": Total satisfaction!
2007-01-15 16:45:50 · answer #6 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever seen the dust on a table after a couple of days? And thats just the stuff that landed, think about what an open glass of water would collect if left uncovered.
2007-01-15 16:37:37 · answer #7 · answered by luckyaz128 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dust will fall into it, along with spores. Leave it on a windowsill long enough, and a "lawn" of algae, fungus, or bacteria will form on the bottom. Not something you'd want to drink.
2007-01-15 17:46:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to get water from the cafeteria and save it afetr you drink water bacteria jumps on it and the becteria goes on the backwash so yeah it can smell weird.
2007-01-15 16:37:51 · answer #9 · answered by DrumStickin' 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF WATER SITS OUT , I WOULD IMAGINE IT WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO DRINK BUT IT IS THE CHANCE THAT WE TAKE ON DRINKING IT..I KNOW , I HAVE TASTED WATER THAT HAS SAT , AND THE TASTE WAS NOT TOO GOOD
2007-01-15 16:38:34 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋