Why is water clear?

gdec1

All liquid substances are clear in their pure state or they aren't liquids. Did you mean colorless? Again, most liquids are also colorless (or every so slightly yellow), like water. http://experts.about.com/q/Chemicals-2460/Water-Hydrogen-Oxygen.htm Jul 23 06, 1:46 PM

satguru

What about mercury? Jul 23 06, 4:08 PM

zbeckabee

Clean water is clear and dirty water can appear cloudy and dark depending upon what it contains. Jul 23 06, 4:25 PM

starNumberA399

What about beer? Jul 23 06, 5:18 PM

satguru

Basically it looks like non-metallic liquids are clear, and if opaque are suspensions of solid particles. That would be why you need to stir paint as the solids separare out until used. But I have yet to see a transparent metal, though someone will tell me now if such a thing exists. Metal compounds, certainly, but actual metals? Jul 23 06, 5:21 PM