PROPERTIES OF WATER
Mar 29, 2015
PROPERTIES OF WATER
Water is a polar molecule, meaning that there is an uneven distribution of charge
Water has a slight negative charge near the oxygen and slight positive charge near the hydrogen atoms.
Water is Polar
Water forms hydrogen bonds Because they are polar, water
molecules are attracted to each other.The negative oxygen is
attracted to the positive hydrogen
Many of water’s special properties come from its ability to form hydrogen bonds
Cohesion is an attraction between molecules of the same substance.
Adhesion is an attraction between molecules of different substances.
Adhesion & Cohesion
Surface Tension Cohesion can cause surface tension. Since the water doesn’t have to bond with anything
“above it’ those bonds are stronger and the water skeeter can walk on it
Capillary Action Adhesion can causes capillary
action Water can get pulled up small
tubes, like the veins of plants
Water expands as it freezes Ice is less dense
Hydrogen bonds push water molecules further apart from each other
Ice floats on water Protects organisms
underneathActs like insulation
The Universal Solvent Water can disassemble and rearrange other
molecules
High Heat Capacity Water can absorb & release large amounts of energy
without changing temperatureKeeps cells at even temperaturesStabilizes global temperatureEvaporative cooling
“Specific heat”
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