Properties of Water

Vocabulary flashcards covering the molecular structure, bonding characteristics, and physical properties of water described in the lecture notes.

Water molecule

A molecule made of 1 oxygen and 2 hydrogens, where the oxygen keeps electrons closer to have a slightly negative charge and the hydrogens have slightly positive charges.

Hydrogen bonds

Bonds between water molecules formed when the slightly positive hydrogen of one water molecule bonds to the slightly negative oxygen of another water molecule.

Xylem walls

Structures in plants that come up from the roots, which water moves up through adhesion.

Adhesion

The property of water molecules sticking to other substances.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking to each other, which also contributes to the surface tension of water.

Surface tension

A property allowing liquid to resist external force, which makes water striders able to skate on water.