Properties of Water and Its Importance

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the properties of water, its effects on living organisms, and the pH scale.

Extremophiles

Organisms that have adapted to living in extreme environments.

Cohesion

The attraction between like molecules, resulting in surface tension in liquids.

Adhesion

The attraction between unlike molecules.

Capillary Action

The ability of water to rise in narrow spaces, due to the combined effects of cohesion and adhesion.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Evaporative Cooling

The process by which the evaporation of water from a surface removes heat.

Heat of Vaporization

The amount of energy required to convert a substance from liquid to gas.

Hydration Shell

A layer of water molecules that surrounds an ion or molecule when dissolved in water.

Hydrophilic

Substances that are attracted to water and can dissolve in it.

Hydrophobic

Substances that do not interact well with water and do not dissolve in it.

Acidity

The concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

Alkalinity

The concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution.

Buffer System

A solution that resists changes in pH when acids or bases are added.

Bicarbonate Buffer System

A buffer system that maintains pH by alternating between bicarbonate and carbonic acid.

pH Scale

A logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution.