What is a symbol or visual thing that could represent empathy?

How much of the world is covered with H20?

• In my chemistry class, everyone agreed that H20 is the chemical symbol for water. Then my teacher told us if asking, "How much of the world is covered with H20" is different than asking "how much of the world is covered with water." There was a debate in my class over this. Some students said that both questions meant the same thing, because H20 is the chemical symbol for water. However, others say no, because H20 would only refer to fresh water with hydrogen and oxygen. It would be leaving out sodium and chloride to represent the water in oceans. So, I just want to know what others think. Do you think they are the same or different. Also, do you think that H20 SHOULD BE the chemical symbol to represent all water or only fresh water? Thanks

• Answer:

  . Dear Ircardenas, OK, 71% of the "Surface" of the Earth is covered with water, excluding the land masses. Beneath the land masses the aquifers "cover" the Earth almost everywhere. That is NOT on the surface, though, and I am hesitant to use the word "cover" here. There is also a difference between "How much of the Earth's water is on the surface of the Earth" and "How much of the Earth's surface is covered with water". For example: Nearly 98% of all the water upon the Earth is "on the surface" of the Earth, in the form of the Ice on the North and Southern Polar caps. "H20" is, of course, the correct symbol for water as it is 2 atoms of hydrogen bonded with one atom of Oxygen which form one Water Molecule.. With regards to the second part of your question: Depending on what you actually mean, yes and no. Water that "is bonded" is not "free water" and should not be considered to be "water" (q.v.). There is water bonded in Opal Stones. This water can "leak" out of the stone over time causing the stone to crack. This water is not "free", though, and you can not "squeeze" it out of the stone. Another misconception concerns "water from reactions". For example, burning ethanol needs the oxygen from the ambient atmosphere to produce the "water" it gives off. This is water but it is not a part of the alcohol, but a reactant of the combustion process. There are MANY other takes on this but I want to keep this as short as possible. I hope this will enlighten you and even help to start a spontaneous debate when you and your class meet again. I have marked your question "Interesting", giving you a star and points. Be serendipitous! JohnW (aka Mr. Professorific)