Liquid vs. Aqueous: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on December 30, 2023
Liquid is a state of matter characterized by fluidity; it has a definite volume but no fixed shape. Aqueous pertains to, is related to, or resembles water; typically, it refers to solutions in which water serves as the solvent.
Key Differences
In physics, the term "liquid" refers to one of the fundamental states of matter, where particles are closely packed but have the freedom to move around, allowing the liquid to flow and take the shape of its container. The term "aqueous" is more specific and is used in chemistry to describe a solution or mixture where water is the solvent. It implies that the substances dissolved are in a liquid state, specifically in water.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Liquid term is broader and can refer to any substance that flows and has no fixed shape but a definite volume, such as oil, alcohol, or mercury. In contrast, "aqueous" always involves water. An aqueous solution is water containing dissolved substances, like saltwater or sugar dissolved in water.
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Dec 30, 2023
Liquids can have a variety of solvents, not just water. They can be organic, like alcohol, or inorganic, like liquid mercury. The term "aqueous" is strictly related to water-based solutions, emphasizing the role of water as the dissolving medium.
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Dec 30, 2023
The properties of a liquid—such as viscosity, boiling point, and freezing point—vary widely depending on its chemical composition. In an aqueous solution, these properties are influenced by the substances dissolved in water, but the base properties are still those of water, such as its boiling and freezing points.
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Dec 30, 2023
Liquids are versatile in industrial and everyday contexts due to their various chemical properties and compositions. Aqueous solutions are crucial in biological, environmental, and chemical contexts, primarily because of water's role as a universal solvent in nature and its biological importance.
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Dec 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A fluid state of matter with no fixed shape but a definite volume.
Solutions or mixtures where water is the solvent.
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Dec 30, 2023
Solvent Variety
Can have various solvents (water, alcohol, etc.).
Always involves water as the solvent.
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Dec 30, 2023
Context of Use
Used in a general sense for any flowing substance.
Specifically used in chemical contexts for water-based solutions.
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Dec 30, 2023
Chemical Properties
Properties vary widely based on composition.
Base properties are influenced by water.
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Applications
Broad industrial and everyday uses.
Essential in biological and chemical processes.
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Dec 30, 2023
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Liquid and Aqueous Definitions
Liquid
A substance that flows freely but is of constant volume.
Water poured into a glass takes the shape of the glass.
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Aqueous
Containing water or similar to water.
The aqueous solution in the beaker reacted with the metal.
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Liquid
A state of matter with no fixed shape but a fixed volume.
Mercury in a thermometer rises and falls, taking the shape of its container.
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Aqueous
Resembling or having the properties of water.
The artist's aqueous ink spread smoothly on the paper.
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Liquid
A fluid that is not gas or solid and can change shape.
Oil spreads out in a pan, adapting to its shape.
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Aqueous
Pertaining to, or dissolved in, water.
The aqueous humor in the eye helps maintain its shape.
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Liquid
Any substance that can flow and take the form of its container.
Liquid soap easily takes the shape of its dispenser.
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Aqueous
Of or relating to a solution where water is the solvent.
The chemical was tested in an aqueous environment.
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Dec 11, 2023
Liquid
The state of matter in which a substance exhibits a characteristic readiness to flow and little or no tendency to disperse, and is amorphous but has a fixed volume and is difficult to compress.
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Aqueous
Water-based or occurring in water.
The plant's roots absorb nutrients from the aqueous soil.
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Aqueous
Relating to, similar to, containing, or dissolved in water; watery.
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Liquid
(Linguistics) A consonant articulated without friction and capable of being prolonged like a vowel, such as English l and r.
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Aqueous
(Geology) Formed from matter deposited by water, as certain sedimentary rocks.
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Aqueous
Partaking of the nature of water, or abounding with it; watery.
The aqueous vapor of the air.
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Liquid
Having a flowing quality without harshness or abrupt breaks
Liquid prose.
The liquid movements of a ballet dancer.
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Liquid
(Linguistics) Articulated without friction and capable of being prolonged like a vowel.
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Dec 10, 2023
Liquid
A substance that is flowing, and keeping no shape, such as water; a substance of which the molecules, while not tending to separate from one another like those of a gas, readily change their relative position, and which therefore retains no definite shape, except that determined by the containing receptacle; an inelastic fluid.
A liquid can freeze to become a solid or evaporate into a gas.
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Liquid
(phonetics) Any of a class of consonant sounds that includes l and r.
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Liquid
Flowing freely like water; fluid; not solid and not gaseous; composed of particles that move freely among each other on the slightest pressure.
Liquid nitrogen
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Liquid
Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt transitions or harsh tones.
A liquid melody
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Liquid
(phonology) Belonging to a class of consonants comprised of the laterals and the rhotics, which in many languages behave similarly.
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Liquid
Flowing freely like water; fluid; not solid.
Yea, though he go upon the plane and liquid water which will receive no step.
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Liquid
Being in such a state that the component molecules move freely among themselves, but have a definite volume changing only slightly with changes of pressure, and do not tend to separate from each other as the particles of gases and vapors do when the volume of the container is increased; neither solid nor gaseous; as, liquid mercury, in distinction from mercury solidified or in a state of vapor.
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Liquid
Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt transitions or harsh tones.
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Dec 10, 2023
Liquid
Pronounced without any jar or harshness; smooth; as, l and r are liquid letters.
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Liquid
In cash or readily convertible into cash without loss of principle; - said of assets, such as bank accounts, or short-term bonds tradable on a major stock exchange.
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Liquid
A substance whose parts change their relative position on the slightest pressure, and therefore retain no definite form; any substance in the state of liquidity; a fluid that is not gaseous and has a definite volume independent, of the container in which it is held. Liquids have a fixed volume at any given pressure, but their shape is determined by the container in which it is contained. Liquids, in contrast to gases, cannot expand indefinitely to fill an expanding container, and are only slightly compressible by application of pressure.
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Liquid
A letter which has a smooth, flowing sound, or which flows smoothly after a mute; as, l and r, in bla, bra. M and n also are called liquids.
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Dec 10, 2023
Liquid
The state in which a substance exhibits a characteristic readiness to flow with little or no tendency to disperse and relatively high incompressibility
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Liquid
A substance in the fluid state of matter having no fixed shape but a fixed volume
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Liquid
Existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow;
Water and milk and blood are liquid substances
Ice is water in the solid state
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Liquid
Filled or brimming with tears;
Swimming eyes
Watery eyes
Sorrow made the eyes of many grow liquid
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Liquid
Clear and bright;
The liquid air of a spring morning
Eyes shining with a liquid luster
Limpid blue eyes
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Liquid
Changed from a solid to a liquid state;
Rivers filled to overflowing by melted snow
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Liquid
Smooth and flowing in quality; entirely free of harshness;
The liquid song of a robin
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Liquid
Yielding; lacking any hint of hardness;
The liquid stillness of the night enveloping him
The liquid brown eyes of a spaniel
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Liquid
Smooth and unconstrained in movement;
A long, smooth stride
The fluid motion of a cat
The liquid grace of a ballerina
Liquid prose
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Dec 10, 2023
Liquid
A phase of matter between solid and gas, characterized by fluidity.
Lava from a volcano flows as a thick liquid.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What defines a liquid?
A liquid is a state of matter with a definite volume but no fixed shape, able to flow.
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Dec 30, 2023
Can all liquids be called aqueous?
No, only water-based solutions are termed aqueous.
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Dec 30, 2023
What does aqueous mean?
Aqueous refers to something that involves or is related to water, especially as a solvent.
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Dec 30, 2023
Are the properties of aqueous solutions diverse?
The properties of aqueous solutions are primarily based on water, but the dissolved substances can modify them.
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Dec 30, 2023
Is mercury a liquid or aqueous?
Mercury is a liquid, but not aqueous as it doesn't contain water.
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Dec 30, 2023
How do the properties of liquids vary?
Liquid properties vary based on their chemical composition, like viscosity and boiling point.
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Dec 30, 2023
What is the significance of aqueous solutions in biology?
Aqueous solutions are vital in biology for cellular processes and as a medium for biochemical reactions.
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Dec 30, 2023
Are all aqueous solutions liquids?
Yes, all aqueous solutions are in the liquid state.
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Dec 30, 2023
Give an example of an aqueous solution.
Saltwater is an example of an aqueous solution.
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Dec 30, 2023
Can an aqueous solution exist in a solid state?
No, aqueous solutions are by definition in the liquid state.
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Dec 30, 2023
What is the role of temperature in the state of a liquid?
Temperature can change the state of a liquid, turning it into a solid or gas.
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Dec 30, 2023
How do liquids interact with solids?
Liquids can dissolve solids, wet them, or form a layer on their surface.
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Dec 30, 2023
What distinguishes a liquid from a gas?
A liquid has a definite volume unlike a gas, which can expand to fill its container.
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Dec 30, 2023
Is blood a liquid or aqueous?
Blood is a liquid, and since it contains water, it can also be considered aqueous.
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Can a liquid exist in outer space?
In outer space, liquids generally exist in a vacuum, leading to rapid boiling or freezing.
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Dec 30, 2023
What is the role of aqueous solutions in chemical reactions?
Aqueous solutions are often used as mediums for chemical reactions, especially in aqueous chemistry.
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Dec 30, 2023
Are all aqueous solutions clear?
No, the clarity of aqueous solutions depends on the substances dissolved in them.
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Does temperature affect aqueous solutions similarly?
Yes, temperature affects aqueous solutions, like freezing or boiling water.
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Why is water important for aqueous solutions?
Water is a universal solvent, making it crucial for forming aqueous solutions.
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Dec 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Hifza Nasir
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