Transmitting high voltage between two measuring glasses with water form a liquid water bridge.

Although H₂O one of the most important and common chemicals on earth, it still remains a mystery for scientists. It was a lot of research to learn the structure of water outside the scope of one molecule. It is anticipated that this level it is responsible for many unique properties of water. However, the nature of this structure, governed by hydrogen bonds, is currently unknown.

“Water, certainly - the most important chemical in the world” - says Elmar Fuchs from the Technical University of Graz (Austria) in a recent study. - “The interaction of water with electric fields intensively studied in recent years. But it is now learned of another unusual effect of water in liquid state subjected by constant electric field: liquid water bridge “.

When the electric field with a high voltage is appeared the water in two measuremant glasses rises and crosses the empty space between them, merging and creating water bridge. Liquid bridge, soaring in space, it seems the human eye beyond the gravity.

After study the phenomenon, scientists have found that water moves from one graduate to another, usually from the cathode to the anode. Cylindrical water bridge 1-3 mm in diameter, could remain intact when graduates are from each other at a distance of up to 25 mm.

Fuchs said that such behaviour of water was just incredible, unexpected. But research has shown that the explanation may lie in the nature of the structure of water. Initially, the bridge is formed because of electrostatic charges on the surface of water. Electric field then concentrated inside the water arranging water molecules to form highly microstructure. This microstructure remains stable and retains a holistic bridge.

The study gave rise to a hypothesis about the microstructure, according to which the density of water varies between graduate edges and the center of the bridge. Microstructure, consisting of orderly molecules of water, could lead to similar changes density.

In the experiments, scientists also discovered the existence of high-frequency fluctuations inside the bridge. The relevant internal structures seen through the camera and quickly takes visualization system. Unlike the much slower surface waves, these high frequency fluctuation was not caused by surface tension. Scientists suggest that fluctuations were caused by the wave voltage swing.

Researchers found a pattern for the internal structures: during the experiment initial single homogeneous internal structure then falls into additional structures after several minutes of exposure. This could be caused by the disintegration or hydrolysis, or increase the temperature of water under the bridge effect electric field. As the water temperature rose from 20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, which took about 45 minutes, the bridge has been destroyed.

Researchers explain that the unusual effect of fluid waterway bridge, as well as the microstructure, which they observed during the interaction of water with an electric field, could lead to a clue of water structure. Currently, study of highly microstructures to explain the change in density in the water bridge is continuing. Results will appear in future publications.