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Well, well, well, we’re working with water – just in time for World Water Day (22 March 2024)! Dive right in, wade through the questions and go for a splashy 5/5!

 

#1. What percentage of the human body is made of water?

There are plenty of misconceptions around this fact, but scientists have known for a while that the human body is usually about 55-65% water depending on age, sex, and hydration levels. Kids tend to be on the higher end of that range with babies being born at 78% water!

#2. True or false? If solid water is dropped into liquid water, the solid water sinks to the bottom.

False. Ice floats! It happens with big icebergs in lakes and oceans, and with little ice cubes in a refreshing glass of water.

#3. Humans depend on freshwater as a basic requirement for life. What percentage of Earth’s water is freshwater?

Most of Earth’s water (96.5%) is seawater. Most of the freshwater on Earth is locked up in the ice sheets across Antarctica. Lakes only make up 0.007% of all water on Earth!

#4. What do you call a scientist who studies water?

Hydrologist! Which comes from Ancient Greek for water (húdōr). Mycologists study mushrooms and oncologists study cancer. We made up waterologist!

#5. Angel Falls is the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world! Water plummets over 800 metres over the top of the Auyán-tepui mountain. Where can you find this waterfall?

Venezuela. Angel Falls also known as Salto Ángel is created by the Churún River flowing off a flat-topped table mountain, which are called tepui in Spanish.

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