Properties of Water

Polar molecule

A molecule with an uneven distribution of electrons, resulting in positive and negative charged regions.

Covalent Bond

When two atoms share one or more electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

The electrostatic attraction between the partial positive charge near hydrogen atoms and the partial negative charge near oxygen atoms on another molecule.

Universal Solvent

Water is called the universal solvent because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid.

Solvent

A substance that dissolves a solute to create a solution.

Solute

A substance that is dissolved in a solvent to create a solution.

Solution

A mixture of two or more substances in which molecules of the substances are evenly distributed.

Density

A measure of mass per unit volume; ice floats because hydrogen bonds hold water molecules further apart in a solid than in a liquid.

Heat Capacity

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance; water has a high heat capacity.

pH

A measure of how acidic/basic a solution is, ranging from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.

Surface tension

The property of a liquid's surface to resist an external force due to cohesive forces between liquid molecules.

Cohesion

Water molecules sticking to each other due to hydrogen bonds.

Adhesion

Water molecules attracted to surfaces.

Capillary action

The movement of a liquid through narrow spaces due to the interplay of adhesion.

Polarity

The condition of having distinct and opposite poles or characteristics.