The main difference between aqueous and liquid is that aqueous is a state where a substance is dissolved in water, whereas liquid is a pure substance in liquid form.
Aqueous and liquid are two phases in which substances can occur in nature. Importantly, aqueous is a state in which the solvent is water, while liquid is a phase where an arrangement of atoms is in the element’s crystal structure. Also the other two phases are gas and solid.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Aqueous
– Definition, Facts, Features
2. What is Liquid
– Definition, Facts, Features
3. Similarities Between Aqueous and Liquid
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Aqueous and Liquid
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ – Aqueous and Liquid
– Answers to frequently asked questions
Key Terms
Aqueous, Liquid
What is Aqueous
Aqueous is one of the four phases of a chemical substance. Also, the solvent of an aqueous solution is water. For example, a solution of table salt, aka sodium chloride in water, can be represented as Na+(aq) + Cl−(aq). Therefore, the term aqueous is related to dissolved in water. Here, water is a naturally abundant, excellent solvent. Also, it is a ubiquitous solvent in chemistry. Note that when a substance is dissolved in the solvent water, it is called an aqueous solution. Whereas, the non-aqueous solution is a solution where the solvent is not water.
Figure 1: Na+(Aq)
Furthermore, water is a polar solvent, which forms an aqueous solution. However, the solvent in the non-aqueous solution can be either polar or non-polar. Still, both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions are liquid. Although the salt solution is an example of an aqueous solution, the tincture of the iodine solution has alcohol as a solvent.
Moreover, hydrophilicity is another characteristic of substances in a solution. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic solutions are two examples of different hydrophilicities in solutions. Hydrophobic substances are water-fearing and do not dissolve well in water. In comparison, hydrophilic substances are water-friendly and will dissolve in water. Sodium chloride is a hydrophilic substance. In contrast, oil is a hydrophobic substance.
What is Liquid
The liquid is another phase of a substance, which is a nearly incompressible fluid. It conforms to the shape of the container but retains nearly a constant volume independent of pressure. Also, liquid is one of the four fundamental states of matter; the other three states are solid, gas, and plasma. Notably, a liquid has a fixed volume but not a defined shape.
Figure 2: Water
The density of a liquid is an important property to distinguish it from the other three states of the substance. The density of a liquid is close to that of a solid but much higher than that of a gas. Therefore, both liquid and solid are condensed matter. However, liquid and gas are fluids that can flow. They also can take the shape of a container. But, unlike a gas, a liquid maintains a reasonably constant density when contained in a container.
Furthermore, intermolecular bonds are another parameter that describes the properties of a liquid. A liquid contains stronger intermolecular bonds than a solid, which includes the strongest intermolecular bonds, holding the atoms much closer. Therefore, the density of a solid is high. Hence, a liquid’s density is less than a solid’s. However, the intermolecular bonds between the atoms of a gas are less strong, keeping a low density.
Similarities Between Aqueous and Liquid
- Aqueous and liquid are two phases where the substances can occur.
- Both are in the liquid form.
- Both phases do not have a fixed shape.
- But they have a constant volume.
Difference Between Aqueous and Liquid
Definition
Aqueous refers to similar to or containing or dissolved in water. Meanwhile, liquid refers to a nearly incompressible fluid that conforms to the shape of its container but retains an almost constant volume independent of pressure.
State
Aqueous is a state where the substance is dissolved in water, while liquid is a state of pure substance.
Containing Water
Aqueous state that contains water, while the liquid state of a substance does not contain water.
FAQ: Aqueous and Liquid
Is water A liquid or an aqueous?
Water is both a liquid and an aqueous. Here, aqueous is a term used to define a property of a liquid.
How do you know if it’s aqueous or liquid?
When a substance is dissolved in water, it is called an aqueous solution. In comparison, a liquid is the pure form of a substance. Therefore, it is not dissolved in any solvent.
Is Milk A liquid or an aqueous?
Milk is the liquid fat dispersed as fine drops in an aqueous continuous phase.
Conclusion
In brief, aqueous and liquid are two phases of a substance. Both have a constant volume. Aqueous phase is a liquid phase in which the substance is dissolved in water. Therefore, an aqueous solution contains both the substance and water. In comparison, liquid is another phase of a substance with no fixed shape but a constant volume. Therefore, the main difference between aqueous and liquid is that it dissolves in water.
References:
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2023e, December 29). Aqueous solution. Wikipedia.
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2023d, December 3). Liquid. Wikipedia.
Image Courtesy:
- “Na+H2O” By Dr. Steven P. Berg – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Water drop 001” By José Manuel Suárez – Own Work (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply