Anomalous Density and Permittivity Effects on the Structure of Water

The relationship between the structural peculiarities of the hydrogen bond net and the anomalous behavior of density and dielectric permittivity of water is investigated. The degree of ordering in the network of hydrogen bonds is described in terms of the structural functions, among which the most important ones are tetrahedricity and the mean number of hydrogen bonds per molecule. The temperature dependence of the number of hydrogen bonds per molecule is discussed in terms of the analysis of the experimental temperature dependences of density and permittivity of water on the saturation line. The estimated density of hexagonal ice at the melting point is reproduced in terms of the concepts suggested for analysis; the estimate is rather close to the experimental value. Possible applications of the new approach are discussed.