Water Properties and Solutions

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the chemical properties of water, thermal energy concepts, and solution dynamics based on the lecture notes.

Polarity

An uneven charge on a molecule.

Electronegativity

The pull on shared electrons, where $O$ is greater than $H$ in water.

Cohesion

Water sticks to water, such as in a xylem water column.

Adhesion

Water sticks to other surface, such as water on a xylem wall.

Surface tension

A tight liquid surface that allows organisms like a water strider to stay afloat.

Transpiration

Process where water moves up and out of a plant via evaporation at leaves.

Xylem

Tubes found in a tree trunk that carry water up.

Specific heat

The heat needed to change temp; this value is high for water.

Thermal energy

Total kinetic energy, which depends on the amount of substance.

Temperature

Average kinetic energy, measured as a thermometer reading.

Heat of vaporization

The energy required to turn liquid to gas; this value is high for water.

Evaporative cooling

Process where fast molecules leave and the rest cools, such as sweat or plant cooling.

Density

Mass per volume.

Expansion upon freezing

Water spreads out as ice, making ice less than water so that ice floats.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture, such as salt water.

Solvent

The substance that does the dissolving, like water.

Solute

The substance that gets dissolved, such as salt or sugar.

Hydrophilic

Water loving and polar, such as salt or sugar.

Hydrophobic

Water fearing and nonpolar, such as oil or wax.

Like dissolves like

The principle that polar dissolves polar, such as water dissolving sugar.