Properties of Water Chapter 3.2 Flashcards
It is polar
One water molecule has 2 hydroxyl groups, therefore it is polar
It forms hydrogen bonds
The water molecules are attracted to one another because the oxygen has a partially negative region and the hydrogens have a partially positive region, this makes weak hydrogen bonds
Water has an unusually high boiling point
This is due to hydrogen bonding, means it takes a lot of energy to increase the temp. Has high specific heat capacity, good for aquatic environment, if it’s hot not all the water will evaporate
It’s solid is less dense than the liquid
Ice is less dense than water, because as water freezes, the hydrogen bonds place the polar molecules further away than in the liquid. This makes a rigid, less dense structure. Marine life can survive in cold habitat as ice acts as insulator
It is cohesive
This means its molecules are attracted to each other and stick together easily. It forms a continuous column without breaks which is how plants can drink water from roots.
It is adhesive
Its attracted to other molecules, not only itself, which is why when you wash your hands, they get wet and water doesn’t just run off.
It is an excellent solvent
It is polar so is attracted to any ions or charged particles and can hydrate ions easily. Cytosol is made up of water and water can be used as a medium in chemical reactions and help transport compounds into and out of cells
It is an efficient transport medium
Cohesion between the molecules means that when transported the molecules can stick together. It’s polar so it can also be attracted to other surfaces, this means it can exhibit capillary action which is where it can rise up small tubes against gravity
It can act as a coolant
Has a high specific latent heat of vaporisation so takes lots of energy to make it a gas. Useful for maintaining constant temperatures in enzymes. Blood is also made of water, can absorb heat from organs which then evaporates as sweat, taking the latent heat with it and leaving you cool.
It has high surface tension
Due to it’s cohesive properties, it is more cohesive towards itself than any other elements like air for example, which means it has high surface tension and can support small insects like pond skaters
