Difference Between Acetone and Water

Acetone and water are two very different substances that have distinct properties and uses. Acetone is a colorless, flammable liquid with a strong odor, while water is a colorless, odorless liquid that is essential to life. In this essay, we will explore the differences between acetone and water in terms of their chemical properties, physical properties, and uses.

What is Acetone?

This is a volatile, colorless as well as a flammable liquid. It is the smallest and simplest ketone and is miscible with water. It is used as a solvent, consumed as acetone cyanohydrin as well as a precursor to methyl methacrylate. As a solvent, it dissolves synthetic fibers as well as plastics, while also acting as a thinner for polyester resin. It is also used in varnishes and paints as one of the volatile ingredients. In the pharmaceutical industry, it’s used as a solvent and as a denaturant in denatured alcohol. It is also used in the beauty industry as a nail polish remover, superglue remover and skin adhesive remover on artificial hair.

Acetone occurs in animals, plants, vehicle exhaust, forest fires, volcanic gases, etc. Acetone occurs in the human body in small quantities. After prolonged starvation or diet the stock of carbohydrates in the body is depleted and the fat is decomposed, which leads to the production of acetone. As a result, the so-called “acetone breath” occurs. More severe cases result in ketoacidosis, which is also one of the symptoms of diabetes.

Inhaled acetone vapor causes dizziness and intoxication. Acetone dissolves fats very well, so it causes dry and cracked skin.

The molecular weight of acetone is 58.08 g/mol. Its vapors are two times heavier than air. The density of acetone related to water is 0.8 (water = 1). It is stable under the recommended storage conditions.

Acetone’s boiling point is 56°C, and its melting point is -95°C. Auto-ignition occurs at 465°C.

What is Water?

Water is an inorganic compound with a chemical formula H2O. At room temperature, it is a transparent, odorless, and colorless liquid. In general, water is derived from the available natural sources. However, alternative water extraction technologies are developed for dry areas where no water sources are available. For example, Morocco has built the world’s largest system for extracting water from the air by fog condensation, covering over 600 square meters.

In Europe about 42% of utilized water is used in agriculture, 32% for industrial needs, 18% for energy production, and 8% for domestic purposes. In the US about 70% of the utilized water is used in agriculture, around 22% for industrial needs and power production, and about 8% – for domestic purposes.

Water covers about 71% of the surface of the Earth, mostly in oceans and seas. About 1.7% of the water occurs as groundwater and 1.7% of it is frozen in glaciers and the ice caps.

In the human body, there are about 70 – 75% of water. The amount may slightly vary and the following general dependencies are observed −

• Babies and children have a higher percentage of water than adults;

• Women have a smaller percentage of water than men;

• Overweight people have a smaller percentage of water than those of normal weight.

All life processes in the human body are connected with water. Water dissolves nutrients, removes waste products. It provides metabolism and is the environment in which all biochemical processes take place.

The water is one of the least toxic compounds. However, if it is being consumed in a high quantity without adequate electrolyte intake water intoxication can occur.

The molecular weight of the water is 18.02 g/mol. Its vapors are lighter than air.

Water’s boiling point is 100°C, and its melting point is 0°C. Water is a stable compound. It is not combustible and cannot be ignited.

Differences: Acetone and Water

Chemical Properties − Acetone is a chemical compound with the formula C3H6O. It is a ketone, which means that it has a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to two carbon atoms. The carbon atoms in acetone are sp2 hybridized, which makes it a planar molecule. The carbonyl group is polar, which means that acetone is a polar molecule.

Water, on the other hand, is a chemical compound with the formula H2O. It is a polar molecule because it has a bent shape due to the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom. The oxygen atom in water is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, which gives rise to the polarity of the molecule.

Physical Properties − Acetone is a colorless liquid that has a boiling point of 56.5 °C and a melting point of -94.7 °C. It is soluble in water, ethanol, and other polar solvents. Acetone has a low viscosity, which means that it flows easily. It is also highly flammable, which makes it a dangerous substance if not handled carefully.

Water, on the other hand, is a colorless liquid that has a boiling point of 100 °C and a freezing point of 0 °C. It is also highly soluble in polar solvents, but it is not soluble in nonpolar solvents such as oil. Water has a high viscosity, which means that it does not flow as easily as acetone. It is not flammable, which makes it a safer substance to handle.

Uses − Acetone is commonly used as a solvent for cleaning, as a paint thinner, and in the production of plastics, fibers, and drugs. It is also used in the beauty industry as a nail polish remover and as a component in some nail polishes. Additionally, acetone is used in the manufacturing of explosives and as a fuel in some engines.

Water, on the other hand, is essential to life. It is used by all living organisms for various metabolic processes. Water is also used in agriculture for irrigation, in industry for cooling and cleaning, and in households for cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Additionally, water is used in the production of electricity through hydroelectric power plants.

Characteristics	Acetone	Water
Definition	Acetone is the simplest ketone, a colorless, highly flammable liquid with a specific odor.	Water is an inorganic compound, a transparent, odorless, and colorless liquid.
Chemical formula	The chemical formula of acetone is C3H6O.	The chemical formula of water is H2O.
Production	Acetone is produced by the moderate oxidation of 2-propanol in the presence of a copper catalyst.	The water is derived from the available natural sources. Alternative water extraction technologies are developed for dry areas where no water sources are available.
Use	Acetone is used in the production of plastics, film strips, acetate silk, synthetic rubber, smokeless gunpowder, some medicines, to clean contaminated surfaces, as a solvent for paints, varnishes, various organic synthetic reactions, etc.	Water is used in agriculture, for industrial needs, for energy production, and for domestic purposes.
Occurrence	Acetone occurs in animals, plants, vehicle exhaust, forest fires, volcanic gases, etc.	Water covers about 71% of the surface of the Earth, mostly in oceans and seas. About 1.7% of the water occurs as groundwater and 1.7% of it is frozen in glaciers and the ice caps.
Presence in the human body	After a prolonged starvation or diet the stock of carbohydrates in the body is depleted, the fat is decomposed, which results in the production of acetone.	In the human body, there are about 70 – 75% of water.
Toxicity	Inhaled acetone vapor causes dizziness and intoxication. Acetone dissolves fats very well, so it causes dry and cracked skin.	The water is one of the least toxic compounds. However, if it is being consumed in a high quantity without adequate electrolyte intake water intoxication can occur.
Molecular weight	The molecular weight of acetone is 58.08 g/mol.	The molecular weight of water is 18.02 g/mol.

Conclusion

In conclusion, acetone and water are two very different substances with distinct properties and uses. Acetone is a polar, flammable liquid that is used as a solvent, paint thinner, and in the production of plastics and drugs. Water, on the other hand, is a polar, nonflammable liquid that is essential to life and is used in a variety of industrial and household applications. Understanding the differences between acetone and water is important for their safe and effective use in various applications.