properties of water

polar

uneven sharing of electric charge across a molecule or a chemical bond

capillary action

the ability of water to flow in narrow spaces

adhesion + cohesion

water molecules can stick to each other and other molecules

surface tension

the elastic film on top of water caused by molecules pulling towards each other

hydrogen bond

a weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom in one molecule and a slightly negative atom in another molecule

excellent solvent

water is able to dissolve more substances then any other liquid

large heat capacity

water has a high heat capacity, letting it resist rapid changes is temperature

Ice

When water freezes, hydrogen bonds lock into an open hexagonal crystal lattice that takes up more space, making ice less dense than liquid water so it floats