Book excerpt: Some of life's most essential activities such as power generation, air transportation, space exploration, sewage systems, and modern medicine depend upon humankind's ability to understand and predict how liquids and gases behave. Liquid Matter, Revised Edition gives an in-depth look into the fundamental characteristics of various liquids required for life on Earth and beyond. With liquids being one of the three most familiar states of matter encountered on Earth, this reference describes the role of liquids in Earth's most essential processes. This newly updated edition focuses on several important liquids, including water, blood, oil, and mercury, highlighting the most important scientific principles upon which the field is based. Chapters include: Liquid Matter—An Initial Perspective Physical Characteristics of Liquids Fundamentals of Fluid Science Water—Nature's Most Amazing Molecule The Oceans Water—Its Power and Applications Liquid Refreshments Lethal Liquids Volcanoes, Hot Springs, and Geysers Very Cold Liquids.