BioGt: Properties of Water

Cohesion

• Water molecules cohere, or stick to each other

• Hydrogen bonds between polar molecules are responsible for cohesion

Surface tension

• Tension of the surface film of a liquid

• Water has high surface tension, meaning the surface tends to resist breaking

• This is due to hydrogen bonds and water’s cohesive properties

Adhesion

• Water molecules adhere, or stick to other substances/surfaces

Capillary action

• When a tube is stuck into a dish of water, the water will partially travel up the tube

• This is due to water’s adhesion to the edges of the tube and cohesion to itself

• This is how water gets from the ground up into plants such as trees

Specific heat

• The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius

• Water has a high specific heat capacity

Solvent

• Water is the “universal solvent” because of it’s polarity

• Polar dissolves polar