X-Ray Analysis of the Structure of Water

X-ray diffraction patterns of water were obtained at five temperatures: 1.5°, 13°, 30°, 62°, and 83°C. The radiation was Cu Kα and Mo Kα, monochromated by reflection from a rocksalt crystal. Radial distribution curves for water at the five temperatures were obtained by a Fourier analysis of the x-ray intensity curves. The first peak is only partially resolved, and it is not possible to interpret the distribution curves uniquely in terms of a definite number of neighbors at definite distances. The results can be interpreted in terms of a structure in which the tendency of a water molecule to bond itself tetrahedrally to 4 neighboring molecules is only partially satisfied.