Mankind knows quite a lot about water. But scientists continue to make amazing discoveries, find its new wonderful properties. In the article we will analyze one of these noteworthy studies. It is devoted to answering the question, what is the ORP of water. We will also consider the characteristics of a liquid with positive and negative potentials, we will figure out what is hidden under the abbreviation yet.
Meaning in chemistry
What is ORP in chemistry in general? Redox potential. The second name is redox potential.
This is a measure of the ability of a chemical to recover. That is, to attach electrons to itself. The ORP of a solution is measured here in microvolts. One of the clear examples of the redox potential: Pt/Fe3+, Fe2+.
ORP is also defined here as the electric potential that is established when platinum or gold (that is, an inert electrode) is immersed in any redoxWednesday. This is a solution that contains both an oxidized and a reducing compound.
ORP will be determined by electrochemical methods using a redox glass electrode. As we said, the indicator is measured in mV (microvolts) relative to a hydrogen standard electrode under the same standard conditions.
What is the ORP of water?
We are talking about redox reactions - reactions of addition or transfer of electrons. They are the source of energy for all living organisms, homeostasis, intensity and speed of recovery of damaged cells depend on them.
What is ORP? This, respectively, is the redox potential. This is the name of the activity of electrons that take part in redox reactions that occur in a liquid medium.
The redox potential of water and man
Scientists measured human ORP on a platinum electrode. Here, the indicators of the restored state of the liquid medium were numbers from -100 to -200 microvolts. But the ORP of the water that people use for drinking and cooking is completely different: from +200 to +300 (and sometimes up to +550) microvolts.
What does this difference indicate? The electrons of the human body are more active than the electrons of the water it consumes. A person spends some part of his life energy in order to "correct" the ORP indicators of the water he drank.
Therefore, scientists thought about how towill change the ORP of the liquid so that it is more quickly absorbed by the body, and he does not waste energy on adjusting it to his needs. And for this you need to use water, the ORP of which is close to the ORP of the liquid media of the human body.
Electron activity value
Why are redox reactions so important for our body? The fact is that a lot depends on the activity of electrons:
- Accumulation (production) of energy for life support.
- The rate of energy consumption of organisms.
- Replication in cells.
- Control over the biochemical processes occurring in the body.
- Functioning of the enzyme system.
Accordingly, the imbalance of recovery and oxidation is one of the causes of diseases and pathologies. Water with an ORP that is different from the ORP of body fluids also contributes here. It exposes his tissues to oxidative damage. Molecules of such water “take away” from cells, tissues with a different potential value the electrons necessary for their energy production. This destruction of cellular organelles, membranes, nucleic acids ultimately leads to a sad outcome - the body as a whole wears out and ages faster.
Harm and benefit for the redox function
All of the above can be neutralized by drinking water (and cooking food on it) with an ORP equal to the redox potential of the liquid media of our body. Scientific studies of both Russian and foreign scientists have confirmed that such a liquid will also have restorative and protective properties. For its assimilation and use, the body does not waste its electrical high-energy potential of cell membranes.
Studies have also shown that not only water with a similar potential to ours, but also with a negative ORP, is beneficial for the human body. Here, the potential difference will act as a kind of reserve for feeding the body with energy, protecting it from adverse environmental factors.
At the same time, you need to protect the redox function of your body from destructive factors for it:
- Poor quality drinking water.
- Unbalanced diet.
- Systematic stress, psycho-emotional stress.
- Smoking and alcohol addiction.
- Exposure to toxic habitat, adverse environmental conditions.
- Chronic diseases.
- Drug abuse.
If the frequency of oxidative reactions in the body is higher than the frequency of reduction reactions, then this negatively affects, first of all, immunity, protective functions. Life systems are no longer able to resist diseases. Antioxidants, which have an active antioxidant effect, can help them.
Water of Life
This very common controversial concept is also related to ORP. This is the name of a drink with a negative oxidativereducing potential whose pH ranges from 7.1 to 10.5.
At the same time, "living water" exists not only in the imagination of storytellers. This is a natural biostimulant that modern technologies allow a person to get. Just get it, since the molecules of "living water" are extremely unstable and quickly lose their electrons, turning it into ordinary, "uncharged".
This drink retains its properties for a maximum of two days. And only under the following conditions: storage in a dark place, in a tightly sealed vessel. Studies show that "living water" can strengthen the body's defenses, protect it from the action of free radicals. It gives cells additional energy in the form of electrons. Alkaline water can also enhance the effect of medications used.
But the controversy surrounding the beneficial effects of "living water" does not subside. Although studies have been conducted demonstrating increased productivity when watering plants, adding it to the diet of farm animals.
Dead water
This is the name of an analyte, an acidic liquid. Water whose ORP is high (up to +1200 mV) and whose pH ranges from 2.5 to 6.5. But many water suppliers use a sly publicity stunt, calling "dead" tap water. And her ORP, on average, is +200 mV.
When stored in a closed container, "dead water" keeps its properties for 1-2 weeks. Despite its name, it is useful in many ways:
- Mouthwash andthroat with flu, SARS, fungal diseases.
- Washing for the prevention of rashes, acne.
- Disinfection of medical instruments, dishes, linen, rooms.
- Lower blood pressure, relief of joint pain.
- Normalization of the nervous system, the return of restful sleep.
Foam ORP
You can also find this name. What is air-foam ORP? They have nothing to do with redox reactions. The abbreviation here stands for "air-foam fire extinguisher".
Such a device is designed to extinguish fires of class A products (smoldering, solid substances of organic origin - coal, paper, wood and others) and class B products (liquids, as well as solids that turn into liquids - petroleum products, paints, oils and others).
At the same time, ORP is not intended for extinguishing materials made of alkaline earth or alkali metals (magnesium, aluminum and their alloys, as well as potassium, sodium) and other substances, products, combustion of which is possible without air access. Such a fire extinguisher is also useless for extinguishing electrical installations that are energized.
Features of the fire extinguisher
ORP allows you to create a foam cover that reduces the access of oxygen to the fire, which helps to quickly localize and cope with a fire. The effectiveness of ORP is significantly increased when using film-forming fluorinated foam concentrates as a charge to it.
Main meritair-foam fire extinguishers are a long time of work. According to this indicator, they "bypass" all other similar devices. But at the same time, standard ORP are also distinguished by the following disadvantages:
- The need for periodic (at least once a year) recharge.
- High rates of corrosive activity of fire extinguishing projectiles.
- Possibility of freezing of the working solution at sub-zero temperatures.
- Unable to extinguish molten materials, hot objects, or substances that react violently in contact with water.
Now you have familiarized yourself with all the characteristics of the ORP. This is not only a redox potential, but also a type of fire extinguisher.
