Water: Water, commonly known by its chemical properties as H2O, is one of the most prevalent elements on the Earth, with up to 75% of the Earth’s surface being covered with it. It is among the most essential requirements for life to exist, and has practical applications for nearly every industry one can think of.
Ice: Ice and liquid water may possess the same nature, but they can be used for very different purposes. Ice is commonly used to preserve foods because it is cold, and water’s high enthalpy of fusion allows it to absorb heat from other things effectively, thus delaying the activity of bacteria and microorganisms. Liquid water, on the other hand, is seen as a cheap alternative to heating solutions at night, as they can absorb heat from the sun during the day and release it at night.