Properties of Water

hydrogen bond

weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and another atom

polar covalent bond

A covalent bond in which electrons are not shared equally

cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance

adhesion

An attraction between molecules of different substances

surface tension

how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid

capillary action

tendency of water to rise in a thin tube

xylem

vascular tissue that carries water upward from the roots to every part of a plant

transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant

meniscus

The curved upper surface of a liquid in a tube

solution

A mixture that forms when one substance dissolves another.

solvent

the substance in which the solute dissolves

solute

the substance that is dissolved

ice floats

Because molecules of water are farther apart in ice than in liquid water

heat sink

substance for absorbing excessive or unwanted heat.

heat capacity

the number of heat units needed to raise the temperature of a body by one degree.

heat of vaporization

the energy a substance must absorb in order to change from a liquid to a gas

hydrophilic

water loving

hydrophobic

Water fearing