Water Flashcards
What does polar mean?
Molecules with regions of negativity and regions of positivity
Why are water molecules polar?
Oxygen is slightly negative and hydrogen is slightly positive
What makes the oxygen slightly negative in water?
It has a greater affinity for for electrons, so pulls them closer
Why does oxygen have such a high boiling point?
Lots of energy is needed to break the hydrogen bonds
Why is water cohesive?
Because of the H bonds between the molecules
How are hydrogen bonds formed?
Slightly negative oxygen bonds with slightly positive hydrogen of another water molecule
Why is water being cohesive important for biological life?
Water stays liquid at almost all places on earth because of it’s high boiling point, which it’s cohesiveness plays a part in
What is the biological significance of water acting as a solvent for so many solutes?
Makes it a good for transport and chemical reactions
How does the density of water facilitate life?
Ice is less dense than water, so it floats above the water, insulating the water
Why is ice less dense causing it to float?
Ice is less dense than water because the orientation of hydrogen bonds causes molecules to push farther apart, which lowers the density.
