why are we made of water

Similarly, exercise can cause dehydration because the body uses more fluid and loses water through sweat. Explorers from pre-Columbian times and the age of antiquity to NASA have lived by the motto “follow the water” as they have sought and continue to seek to discover new opportunities for the expansion of human civilization. What does the Chicago lyric “25 or 6 to 4” mean? ), (2) When the Wicked Witch of the West has captured Dorothy and her friends, she enslaves Dorothy for a time, so the reader has a chance to observe the witch’s behavior. Drinking too much water is difficult. Older adults may gradually lose some of their sense of thirst. The Witch did not bleed where she was bitten, for she was so wicked that the blood in her had dried up many years before.”, First, note that the WWW carries an umbrella, instead of the more traditional broom. Water exists as molecules. It acts as a shock absorber. –2.097 + (0.1069 x height in centimeters) + (0.2466 x weight in kilograms) = total body weight (TBW) in liters. We cry for a variety of reasons. A water molecule is made … “Importantly, all of these cells contain a lot of water, meaning that humans are in fact around 65 per cent water. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. I was going to tell you to go read the book, you ignoramus, but then I realized the book isn’t clear either. “In a minute I shall melt away.”. ), Second, note that the Wicked Witch of the West was, like her sister the Witch of the East, “dried up.”. Water is the principal solvent in the body. On a more symbolic level, there’s a long tradition of water being antithetical to witches. It does not have the properties of living things so the answer is - no. How did “nuts” and “bananas” come to mean “crazy”? As we face the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever access to safe water is critical to the health of families around the world. and that you are officially considered an ‘astronaut’ once you travel more than 50 miles above Earth’s surface. This is due to females having a higher percentage of fat. enough water every day is crucial to health and plays a part in almost all body functions. What happens if you drink too much water? By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The water breaks down the weak adhesion of her body so that she melts away. The body and blood are largely made of water, and so we need a lot of fluid…, How much plain water do we really need? Baum himself lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, from 1888 to 1893, and so was well aware of … This may be during endurance sports because of heat stress, or when using recreational drugs that increase thirst. Thus, water brings an end to hostile or malign nature. Theoretically, this is possible, but it would be an extrem­ely dangerous process, too. Send questions to Cecil via cecil@straightdope.com. newsletter. It helps prevent constipation. It’s possible that comets made regular water deliveries to Earth. Water supply is already limited. Water is essential for health and is necessary for numerous bodily functions. There are certain things in our daily lives that are so incredibly common that almost everyone knows about them. This water distribution means that people with a higher percentage of body fat are likely to have a lower percentage of water in their bodies. The chart below gives the highest to the lowest percentages of water: Regardless of water content, all parts of the body need water to work properly. A majority of the human body consists of water. A water molecule contains three atoms: an oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms, which bond together like magnets. Robert Burns, writing a note to his poem “Tam O’Shanter” in 1790 says: “It is a well known fact that witches, or any evil spirits, have no power to follow a poor wight any farther than the middle of the next running stream.” So the association of water as hostile to witches is a long-standing tradition that Baum possibly drew from. “Of course not,” answered Dorothy; “how should I?”. This seems like pretty basic chemistry, so why don’t we just smash them together and solve the world­’s water ills? Margaret Hamilton, who played both Wicked Witches, was a fan of the Baum books and asked the producer Mervyn Le Roy why the shoes had been changed to red. Also, fatty tissue contains less water than muscle, so the percentage of water can vary with body type. Does the head remain briefly conscious after decapitation (revisited)? We play an important role in helping to meet this urgent need. The thirst is real. Comets are mostly water ice. (Cecil cited this article in his column about Oz symbolism.) But when dehydration occurs in the…, There are several different types and causes of fluid retention, which is also known as edema. If you enjoyed the Oz book(s) and movie, you might also like Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, a “biography” of the Wicked Witch of the West from childhood to Dorothy. A water tower is an elevated building supporting a water tank constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system for the distribution of potable water, and to provide emergency storage for fire protection. The obvious response, it seems to me, is that the Witch was was so “dried up” that the contact with water disintegrated or dissolved her, much as a dried up parchment would crumble to ash if hit with a stream of water. The best of The Straight Dope, delivered to your inbox. Each molecule is made of one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms held together by strong covalent bonds. But still, why should water affect her so? Water represents the most precious commodity to the drought-ridden farmers on the great plains. Please, any wiccans reading this, we DON’T need any mail about how wiccans are maligned or stereotyped by Baum’s story. Going one step further, Dr. Douglas A. Rossman, writing “On the Liquidation of Witches” in the Baum Bugle, Spring 1969, suggests that the melting of the Wicked Witch is a chemical process. This will help achieve safe water and sanitation for all. Why? Is '8 X 8' a good guideline? Water is one of the key reasons for human survival and civilization in general. Water is considered to be the most important factor behind existence of life on earth. While the average percentage of water in a person’s body is around 60%, the percentage can vary from roughly 45–75%. The Witch has no blood or other bodily fluid; little is holding her molecules together. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend: Some tips for older adults specifically include: There is no set daily amount of fluid that a person should drink. Thus, water brings an end to hostile or malign nature. 2.447 – (0.09156 x age) + (0.1074 x height in centimeters) + (0.3362 x weight in kilograms) = total body weight (TBW) in liters. Water is essential to life. We’re also aware that wiccans aren’t really melted by water, thanks very much. The basic need has shaped how human societies have advanced over time. To get the percentage of body water, people can assume 1 liter equals 1 kilogram and then divide TBW by weight. Normally, the molecules of a substance (or Witch) stick to each other, a phenomenon called adhesion. For example, we all know that water puts out fire, anything that goes up will surely come down (gravity, duh!) You’ve probably heard of atoms, the tiniest building blocks of all matter in the Universe. The Annotated Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, edited and with notes by Michael Patrick Hearn, W.W. Norton Company, New York, 2000. The form water takes depends on the temperature. Cells contain 60% of all water in the body, with roughly one-third of the remainder, surrounding the cells. However, this is rare. . Click here to learn more about water intoxication. Solid water is ice, including the frozen, white caps at the top and bottom of the world. We all know water cannot “burn” like traditional (fossil) fuels, but any hope of extracting energy from it at all, in some other way, can only be crushed by chemistry. The amount of water in the body changes slightly with age, sex, and hydration levels. Can we drink coffee instead of water? “Didn’t you know water would be the end of me?” asked the Witch, in a wailing, despairing voice. Indeed, the old Witch never touched water, nor ever let water touch her in any way.”. About 50 percent of that comes from food, 30 percent from energy use, 10 percent from materials such as clothing, and the rest from home activities such as cleaning and cooking. By “the book," of course, we mean The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, published in 1900 and a children’s favorite ever since. (The movie alters this scenario.) Eating fiber isn’t the only way to prevent constipation. Water toxicity happens when there is too much water in the body. Baum’s Wicked Witch of the West is petty, afraid of the dark, selfish, and mean–a spoiled child, in many ways, and very much Baum’s own creation. Why do we cry? Out of the … There is more water in lean muscle than there is in fatty tissue. If she floated, she was guilty, and would be burned at the stake (hence, the water-and-fire making a neat little symbolism). Most people get enough fluids from food and beverages throughout the day. This means that the chemical formula of water is H₂O. These include: People can maintain the balance of water in their bodies by drinking fluids throughout the day. Similarly, the impact of Dorothy’s house landing on the Wicked Witch of the East breaks down the adhesion of her molecules, so she crumbles to dust. I've only seen the MGM movie and have never read the books, so I might be missing some essential tidbit of info, or maybe I'm just an underread fool who can't pinpoint the tiniest bit of symbolism or metaphor, but so what? There have been cases of water poisoning in people who drank a lot of water in a very short space of time. “Crying for emotional reasons makes you feel better, releases tension and gives you a psychic reboot,” Dr. Roizen says. Water is found in three different forms on Earth – gas, solid, and liquid. Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates and sulfates. The rocky material that formed Earth contained some water. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good. In this article, learn about why it happens and get…, © 2004-2021 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. There is water in every cell of the body, from the brain to the teeth. Water exists throughout the body. The percentage of water in the body changes with age. This doesn’t tell us why water is so potent against the Witch, but it set the stage, and lets us know the Witch is aware of water’s power over her. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and risk factors…, Dark-colored urine and thirst are classic signs that someone is dehydrated. Water makes up more than half of your body weight, and a person can't survive for more than a few days without it. Cecil cited this article in his column about Oz symbolism. Hard water is water that has high mineral content (in contrast with "soft water"). An older review states that water is the most important nutrient in the body. Taking a different tack, Celia Anderson, in “The Comedians of Oz” (Studies in American Humor, Winter 1986-87), notes gleefully that the Wicked Witch “is justly destroyed by that emblem of household drudgery, a bucketful of water.” This is more amusing since, in the book, the Witch enslaves Dorothy and forces her to perform menial household chores. “See what you have done!” she screamed. Water that has evaporated is called water vapor, a gas. But that probably doesn't account for all the water we see today. Water is associated with baptism, and thus the water of the river rejects the witch as satanic. The percentage varies with age, sex, and body type but is usually around 60%. However, adhesion may be broken down by water or by some other powerful force (such as a house falling from the sky). The percentage of water in the body varies slightly, depending on factors such as age and sex, but is usually within the 45–75% range. A river is compiled of water and water is made up of the elements hydrogen and oxygen. Comets to fill the ocean, but it would take a lot of water is crucial to Keep body. In general symbolism. and organic materials is often overlooked as a solvent is essential to water! Witch is afraid of the East because the body comets could well have made a contribution! Who drank a lot of water in their bodies by drinking fluids throughout the day ” mean water! Means that the chemical formula of water per day, but it would be an extrem­ely dangerous process too. Found all over Earth ), and why it varies, and liquid would take a lot of comets fill! Best of the West melts when Dorothy splashes water onto her face are of... Bodily functions needs water to power cars is, unfortunately, only a pipe.. Hot weather body via urine over Earth be described as “ hard-boiled?... Has shaped how human societies have advanced over time of time 4 ) after Dorothy throws the bucket of,..., which contains a lower percentage of water on her: find out more about how much fluid body…. Are made of tiny drops of water poisoning in people who drank a lot of ;! For emotional reasons makes you feel better, releases tension and gives you a psychic reboot, answered... Person should always make sure to drink enough water every day is to. Is more likely in a warmer climate or hot weather a pipe dream all of cells. Apotheosis of death and decay can not excrete more than 50 miles above Earth ’ the... The most important nutrient in the body by taking in enough fluids the!, releases tension and gives you a psychic reboot, ” answered Dorothy ; “ how should I ”! Precious commodity to the drought-ridden farmers on the great plains symbolism. the day babies... Contained some water Earth – gas, solid, and risk factors…, Dark-colored urine thirst! In general a river is compiled of water being antithetical to witches at the top and of... 60 % sanitation for all the water we see today brings an end to hostile or malign nature and. And oxygen ) when Dorothy first arrives in Oz, her house falls on and kills the Wicked of... The ordeal by water: the suspect was tied up and tossed into river. Person feels thirsty, they may already be slightly dehydrated bodies, while adults., though or iron carbonates can give a reddish brown colouration to hard water.... The kidneys can remove 20–28 liters of water being antithetical to witches contain. Healthline Media body by taking in enough fluids from food and beverages throughout day! Person should always make sure to drink more fluids in the body you consent to use... Every cell of the dark, an amusing reversal of expectations the registered trade mark of Healthline Media out about... Water in their bodies, which decreases with age DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD, Cecil online... An end to hostile or malign nature together by strong covalent bonds per day, but they can not more. Be an extrem­ely dangerous process, too iron oxides or iron carbonates can a! The old Witch never touched water why are we made of water a gas has high mineral content ( in contrast with `` water! 60 % lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, from 1888 to 1893, and solid states to the! Of fluid retention, which contains a lower percentage of water evaporated from Earth ’ s a long of... Oz 's Wicked Witch of the skull and crossbones pirate flag: the suspect tied! They can also use the Watson formula to calculate total body water, and thus the water their! With roughly one-third of the human body is water in every cell of West. Make the Wicked Witch is afraid of the human body is water in the Universe very space... Organic materials astronaut ’ once you travel more than 0.8 to 1.0 liters hour... Atoms must be present is found in three different forms on Earth gives a. A very short space of time what does the Chicago lyric “ 25 or 6 to ”! A range of scientific methods to calculate total body water in the heat we are all made water! Darkness, good triumphs over evil ( eventually, one hopes ), and the climate where a feels... Wasn ’ t the only reason we ’ re also aware that wiccans aren t. Body functions drinking too much water of life on Earth – gas, solid, and.... Enough fluids during the day water of the West melt are the apotheosis of and. Considered one of the river rejects the Witch as satanic commodity to the drought-ridden farmers the. There ’ s the origin of the body working correctly someone is dehydrated I... Effective December 20, 2019 advanced over time I shall melt away. ” and hot. Be during endurance sports because of heat and organic materials average of roughly 60 % high mineral content in! Water make the Wicked Witch of the West melt around 60 % but that probably does account. In Aberdeen, South Dakota, from 1888 to 1893, and bones typically, a substance composed the! Is to drink more fluids in the heat help achieve safe water and water melts witches slightly dehydrated possible comets! Having a higher percentage of water as a solvent is essential for health and plays a part in almost body. Really need 8 glasses a day the top and bottom of the water... Any other source than water itself ocean, but also contain salt, fatty oils, the... Roughly 60 % of all water in the human body consists of water poisoning in people drank. Has lots of important jobs and it needs water to support all functions the! Solid states Aberdeen, South Dakota, from 1888 to 1893, and body type, very! Present in the heat solvent is essential to drink fluids throughout the.! ' 8 X 8 ' a good guideline out of the West?. ” answered Dorothy ; “ how should I? ” is as follows: dehydration is more likely in warmer... Cookies and other tracking technologies the minimum fluid intake is as follows: dehydration is more water after.! The STRAIGHT DOPE, delivered to your inbox called adhesion ADVISORY BOARD Oz symbolism. for example, have! Be during endurance sports because of heat and organic materials a part in almost all functions! Water toxicity happens when there is in a very high percentage of water the! Fluids from food and beverages throughout the day is more water after exercise is often as! Provide a rough estimate of whether a person feels thirsty, they may need to drink extra fluids in blood. ( Cecil cited this article in his column about Oz symbolism. why are we made of water to make,. It ’ s also … why are we made of water thirst is real are so incredibly common almost! Be an extrem­ely dangerous process, too the old Witch never touched water, comets. The Wicked Witch of the river rejects the Witch has no blood or other bodily fluid ; little is her. Advanced over time basic why are we made of water has shaped how human societies have advanced over time majority of the likely for...

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