Properties of Water

Vocabulary flashcards created from lecture notes covering the physical and chemical properties of water and its necessity for life.

Water

A terrific solvent that can dissolve polar molecules and transport molecules to different parts of the body.

Cohesion

The property of water that explains why insects can stay at the surface.

Surface tension

A strong property of water where molecules at the surface hold more tightly to each other than molecules further below the surface.

Heat of vaporization

A property that is relatively high for water as a small hydride molecule, requiring a large amount of energy for water molecules to leave their liquid form.

Evaporation

The process where individual surface water molecules gain enough energy to break free from the hydrogen bonds of surrounding molecules.

Liquid water

A substance scientists believe is a requirement for life to exist, though most planets are too hot or too cold for it to exist.