Properties of Water

Flashcards covering the special properties of water, focusing on its suitability for life, molecular structure, behavior upon freezing, and its role as a solvent.

What are the special properties of water that contribute to Earth's suitability for life?

Cohesive behavior, ability to moderate temperature, expansion upon freezing, and versatility as a solvent.

What is the chemical formula of water?

H2O, consisting of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms.

What gives water its polarity?

The difference in charge between hydrogen atoms (slightly positive) and the oxygen atom (slightly negative) creates polarity.

What are hydrogen bonds?

Attractions between water molecules due to their polarity, where the oxygen atom of one molecule bonds with a hydrogen atom of another.

How does water behave when it freezes?

Water expands upon freezing, making ice less dense than liquid water, allowing it to float.

Why is ice floating on water important for aquatic life?

It insulates the water below, preventing it from freezing and maintaining a stable environment for aquatic organisms.

What is the specific heat of water?

4.184 J/g x °C, indicating that water can absorb a lot of thermal energy before its temperature changes.

Why does water have a high heat capacity?

Due to hydrogen bonding, water can absorb a significant amount of thermal energy without changing temperature quickly.

What is surface tension in water?

The cohesive property that causes water molecules at the surface to behave differently and form a film, allowing certain objects to float.

What is the difference between cohesion and adhesion?

Cohesion is the attraction between like substances (water molecules stick to themselves), while adhesion is the attraction between different substances (water molecules stick to other materials).

What is capillary action?

The process by which water moves upward through a narrow tube due to adhesion and cohesion.

How does water's polarity contribute to its role as a solvent?

It allows water to attract and dissolve ionic or polar substances, such as salts.

What happens to the density of water as it freezes?

It decreases, making ice less dense than liquid water.

What are two properties that help water dissolve substances like salt?

Water's polarity and its ability to form hydrogen bonds.

What role does water play in nutrient delivery to cells?

Its ability to dissolve many substances allows it to transport essential nutrients to cells in living organisms.