Chemical Bonding and Properties of Water

Flashcards covering the types of chemical bonding, the molecular structure of water, and its unique life-supporting properties.

Chemical Bonding

The forces that hold atoms together in molecules and compounds, occurring when atoms interact to achieve stable electron configurations.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, typically between a metal and a nonmetal, such as sodium chloride ($NaCl$).

Covalent Bonds

Bonds where atoms share electrons to satisfy the octet rule, common between nonmetals such as in water ($H_2O$).

Metallic Bonds

Bonds involving a “sea of electrons” shared among metal atoms, responsible for properties like conductivity and malleability.

Hydrogen Bonds

A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen.

Van der Waals Forces

Weak intermolecular forces including dipole-dipole and dispersion interactions; examples include Sodium and Potassium.

Universal Solvent

A term for water because its polar nature allows it to dissolve many substances by attracting positive and negative ions.

Polar Molecule

A molecule with an uneven distribution of electrons, creating regions of partial positive ($\delta^+$) and partial negative ($\delta^-$) charge.

Bent Shape

The V-shaped or angular structure of a water molecule caused by repulsion between two lone pairs of electrons on oxygen.

Bond Angle of Water

The specific angle between the two hydrogen atoms in a water molecule, which is about $104.5^\circ$.

Electronegativity

The property of an atom, such as oxygen, to pull shared electrons closer to itself, resulting in unequal sharing.

Dipole

A charge separation within a molecule created by the unequal sharing of electrons.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking to each other, which is why water forms drops.

Adhesion

The property of water molecules sticking to other surfaces, such as plant tubes or the walls of a glass.

Capillary Action

The process by which water moves upward in plant stems against gravity, powered by cohesion and adhesion.

High Surface Tension

The creation of a “skin” on the surface of water because molecules stick tightly together due to strong hydrogen bonds.

High Heat Capacity

The ability of water to absorb a large amount of heat before its temperature changes, regulated by the breaking of hydrogen bonds.