Bio and a bit of chem

Electronegativity

An atom's ability to attract and pull shared electrons toward itself within a chemical bond.

Polarity

An uneven distribution of electrical charge across a molecule, creating distinct, opposite 'poles' of charge.

Polar Covalent Bond

A chemical bond inside a single water molecule where electrons are shared unequally between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, resulting in a different atomic mass.

Partial Negative Charge ($\delta^-$)

Found on the oxygen side of water due to oxygen's high electronegativity pulling shared electrons closer.

Partial Positive Charge ($\delta^+$)

Found on the hydrogen sides of water because hydrogen's shared electrons are pulled toward the oxygen.

Overall Charge

Neutral; a water molecule has an equal number of protons and electrons, carrying no net charge.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between the partially positive hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the partially negative oxygen atom of another.

Intramolecular vs. Intermolecular

Intramolecular bonds are polar covalent bonds within a single water molecule, while intermolecular bonds are hydrogen bonds between different water molecules.

Cohesion

Water molecules sticking to other water molecules due to hydrogen bonding.

Surface Tension

A measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid, with water exhibiting high surface tension due to cohesion.

Adhesion

Water molecules sticking to different polar substances or surfaces.

Capillary Action

The upward movement of water through a narrow tube against gravity, driven by cohesion and adhesion.

Universal Solvent

Water's ability to dissolve a wide range of polar and ionic solutes by forming hydration shells.

High Specific Heat Capacity

Water's ability to absorb or release large amounts of heat energy with minimal temperature change.