Chapter 3 Chemistry of Water

Polar Covalent Bond

A type of bond where electrons are shared unequally, resulting in a molecule with a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond formed when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to one electronegative atom is attracted to another electronegative atom.

Cohesion

The property of water that causes molecules to stick to each other, resulting in high surface tension.

Adhesion

The attraction between water molecules and different substances, such as plant cell walls.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat that must be absorbed or released for 1 gram of a substance to change its temperature by 1ºC.

Heat of Vaporization

The amount of heat a liquid must absorb for 1 gram to be converted to gas.

Hydrophilic Substance

A substance that has an affinity for water.

Hydrophobic Substance

A substance that does not have an affinity for water.

Molarity

The number of moles of solute per liter of solution.

Acid

A substance that increases the H+ concentration of a solution.

Base

A substance that reduces the H+ concentration of a solution.

Buffer

A substance that minimizes changes in concentrations of H+ and OH- in a solution.

Ocean Acidification

The process in which CO2 is absorbed by oceans, leading to a decrease in pH.

pH Scale

A logarithmic scale used to determine the acidity or basicity of a solution, with lower values indicating acidity and higher values indicating basicity.

Thermal Energy

The total kinetic energy associated with the random motion of atoms or molecules.

Calorie

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1ºC.