Properties of water

Properties of water

• Versatility as a solvent

  • Anything charged or polar will dissolve 

  • Anything charged or polar will dissolve because they are attracted to the partial charges on water

  • Hydrophobic, or water fearing substances, do not dissolve in water and stay away from water. (anything nonpolar)

• Cohesive properties - binds to itself

  • Water loves to stick together

  • High surface tension, hydrogen bonds to one another

• Expansion upon freezing

  • Ice is less dense than liquid water

  • Ice needs to be less dense so our lakes and oceans do not freeze solid

• Ability to stabilize heat

  • Water has high specific heat (4.18)

  • Calorie - amount of energy required to raise 1 g of water 1 degree C

  • Also high heat of vaporization

  • Body made of lots of water, body maintains homeostasis of body temp because water is not easy to change heat.