Water (H₂0) - the bond of two Hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom - is the most important chemical compound on Earth. Not only does water make up 71% of Earth’s surface but it also makes up upwards of 90% of the human body. Water is one of the few elements that can sustain all three of the phase changes at various natural temperatures on Earth, meaning that water can be a Gas, liquid, or solid on earth solely by natural causes.
Upwards of 90% of all water on Earth is stored in the ocean, but water is constantly going through a cycle called the water cycle. This cycle involves water from the ocean (liquid) being evaporated into water vapor (gas) then condensed into either snow (solid), or back into water (liquid) and precipitated back down to earth to either freeze (solid) into snow or be drained back into a water source (liquid). This cycle is a major process in keeping this planet alive, the reason that plants can grow, weather can form and mix the air in the atmosphere, and why humans live off of this amazing compound.
Without water phase change, humans would not be who they are today and would possibly not even be here. Additionally, plants would not be what they are, and life in general on Earth would be completely different, if it were to even exist. The first forms of life were formed in liquid water, and as far as we have seen, Earth is the only planet in our universe with known liquid water on its surface. We take it for granted, but water is the most important chemical compound on this planet and without it, and its ability to change phases regularly, there is a good chance that we would not be here.
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