WJEC GCE Biology - Properties of Water

Flashcards about the properties of water for WJEC GCE Biology.

Ice Density

Ice is less dense than water, allowing aquatic organisms to survive under the insulating ice layer.

Surface Tension

Water has high surface tension, enabling it to form habitats on the water's surface.

Cohesive Properties

Water has strong cohesive properties and high tensile strength, allowing it to be pulled through plants in a column.

Light Transmission

Water is colorless with high light transmission, which allows light to pass through cells for photosynthesis.

Solvent Properties

Water is a liquid at room temperature and dissolves polar and ionic substances, making it suitable for transport and reactions.

Latent Heat of Vaporisation

Water has a high latent heat of vaporisation, enabling it to cool organisms through evaporation.

Specific Heat Capacity

Water has a high specific heat capacity, maintaining stable conditions in cells and aquatic environments.

Cohesion

The strong attraction between water molecules, causing them to form droplets.

Surface Tension

The property of water where the surface acts like an elastic sheet due to strong intermolecular forces.

Water (Colour-Transmission of Light)

Water is transparent to light, allowing sunlight to reach cells for photosynthesis.

Latent Heat Definition

The heat energy absorbed or expelled during a change of state without a change in temperature.

Specific Heat Capacity Definition

The heat needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of water by 1°C.

Water (State at Room Temperature)

Water is a liquid at room temperature due to hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

Water dissolves Ionic and Polar Substances

Water dissolves ionic or polar substances

Density of Water

Water expands as it freezes, decreasing its density, which causes ice to float.

Hydrolysis

A reaction where water reacts with a chemical to break it into smaller molecules.

Condensation Reaction

A reaction where water is formed.

Metabolites

The chemicals involved in the chemical reactions taking place in cells.

Polar vs. Nonpolar

Polar dissolves polar, Nonpolar dissolves nonpolar