Is it scientifically correct to say 'oxygen is dissolved in water'?

[Ouabache]

Just wondering. Article in today's local paper about some science questions on a test for 4th graders and one of the correct answers contains that phrase.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. some gases, some solids and some liquids can dissolve in water

Then again, some are incapable of dissolving in water, but require another solvent. The key is whether the water + whatever becomes a "solution".

I read of some experiments in which they were designing a universal solvent, something that could dissolve everything, or close to it. It was really weird shit.

[SeattleVet]

8. If you're not a part of the solution...

you are a part of the precipitate!

[Che_Nuevara]

2. A x% solution of oxygen in water?

[asthmaticeog]

3. Yes. Some oxygen is dissolved in water.

That's the oxygen that fish breathe. Fish's gills don't seperate water's oxygen from its hydrogen on the molecular level, they simply absorb free oxygen that's dissolved in water. If that oxygen supply is depleted in a given area, it's entirely possible for fish to suffocate.

[Botany]

4. yes

DO or dissolved oxygen is measured to see the "health" of lakes & streams

Colder & cleaner water has more DO .... and can support trout.

[realisticphish]

5. Yep

God knows I tested DO about a million times for my job at a water lab

[scubadude]

6. Yes

Oxygen, as well as all the other gasses, are dissolved into water. If the pressure of the gas increases, the amount in the water increases. This is what gives divers the bends. Breathing compressed air raises the amount of nitrogen in the blood. When the pressure is relieved too fast, the blood bubbles like soda pop, potentially killing the diver.

The oxygen dissolved in water is what fish breath.

see http://www.lenntech.com/why_the_oxygen_dissolved_is_important.htm

Scuba

[rock]

7. Why the unusal spelling for your screen name Ouabache?

(I assume as in canon-ball)

[Ouabache]

11. It's the original French spelling to piss off the Freedom Fries crowd

if they even get it...

[Orsino]

9. Yes. Gases can be dissolved in liquids.

Oxygen is relatively soluble in water, hence fish being able to breathe.

Carbon dioxide is less soluble, and so carbonation of soft drinks requires pressures of 5-10 atmospheres. Opening the bottle releases the pressure of gas above the liquid, and so carbon dioxide begins bubbling out.

Nitrogen isn't very soluble in water, either, but when divers go deep, they must decompress gradually, so that the nitrogen gas leaves the blood without producing deadly bubbles (the bends).

Cold water can hold more gas in solution than hot. Turn on the hot tap, and you may see cloudy water coming out, water which quickly clears as the gas (mostly oxygen) bubbles out.

[NNadir]

10. Absolutely.

For certain types of reactions, it is necessary to "degas" the solutions. Typically this is done by sparging with Helium or by pumping the solvent with a vaccum. The last practice only works if the solvent has a sufficiently high boiling point, since otherwise the solvent often evaporates.

All soda pop and club soda is a carbon dioxide solution in water.

[Ouabache]

12. ok thanks everyone for the excellent replies

I guess I was limiting my thinking to the molecular components of water only. duh, me.
The question for the fourth graders did involve fish and gills, as well, which several responders here have covered.