Properties of Water Study Guide

A set of fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering the chemical and biological properties of water, including cohesion, adhesion, polarity, and heat capacity.

The type of bond that forms between the slightly positive hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the slightly negative oxygen atom of another water molecule is a __________ bond.

hydrogen

Insects such as water striders can walk across the surface of a pond without sinking because cohesion allows for __________.

surface tension

When liquid climbs up a thin glass tube against the force of gravity, capillary action is caused by the interaction of cohesion and __________.

adhesion

Water is referred to as the 'universal solvent' because it is able to dissolve many __________ and ionic compounds, including nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins.

polar

During transpiration, water travels upward from the roots of a plant to its leaves through narrow tubes called __________.

xylem

Water's high heat capacity allows it to store lots of heat energy and carry it away from the body by evaporation, a process called __________.

evaporative cooling

The floating of ice on top of ponds and lakes helps aquatic life survive winter because the ice layer provides __________ and prevents bodies of water from freezing solid.

insulation

When table salt ($NaCl$) disappears after being dissolved in a test tube of water, water plays the role of the __________.

universal solvent

The attraction between water molecules and a different surface, such as glass on a windshield, is known as __________.

adhesion

Water moderates temperatures in coastal areas because of its high __________ and ability to carry heat energy away from large bodies of water.

specific heat

Oil and water do not mix when combined because water is a polar molecule and oil is a __________ molecule.

nonpolar

Nonpolar molecules do not dissolve in water because they are __________.

hydrophobic

Polar molecules can dissolve in water because they are __________.

hydrophilic

The property of water that helps form water drops on leaves, fur, and feathers is __________.

cohesion

The property of water that works along with cohesion to allow for capillary action is __________.

adhesion

The property of water that allows some insects to travel on the surface of a pond is __________.

surface tension

The biological process that allows water to move upward in a plant, against gravity, is __________.

capillary action

Ice stays floating on lakes because water is __________ as a solid.

less dense

Because water holds a lot of heat energy, it helps living systems maintain a stable __________.

temperature

Because water is a good solvent, it functions to transport dissolved __________ in blood.

nutrients

Water is able to dissolve many polar and ionic nutrients, such as __________ and proteins.

carbohydrates