A1.1 Water SL Flashcards
Polar Covalent Bonds in Water
footnote
Water molecules have polar covalent bonds, with oxygen having a partial negative charge and hydrogen a partial positive charge. This is due to the uneven sharing of electrons caused by oxygen’s higher electronegativity.
Hydrogen Bonds in Water
Water molecules form weak hydrogen bonds between the positive hydrogen atom of one molecule and the negative oxygen atom of another. This intermolecular force is crucial for water’s unique properties.
Water’s Role as the Medium for Life
Water is essential for life due to its ability to dissolve many substances, making it an ideal medium for the chemical reactions necessary for life’s processes
Cohesion of Water Molecules
Water molecules exhibit cohesion, meaning they are attracted to each other, mainly due to hydrogen bonding. This property is vital for processes like water transport in plants
The Importance of Water’s Polarity
The polarity of water molecules leads to unique characteristics like high surface tension and solvent properties, playing a key role in biological and environmental processes
Adhesion of Water
The attraction between water molecules and different substances, allowing water to stick to various materials
Solvent Properties of Water
Water’s ability to dissolve various substances, making it a crucial medium for biological reactions and transport in organisms
Cohesion of Water
The attraction between water molecules, facilitating capillary action and influencing water’s surface tension
Hydrophilic Molecules
Substances that are attracted to water, often polar or having uneven charge distribution, making them soluble in water
Capillary Action
The movement of water through narrow spaces due to cohesive and adhesive forces, essential in plant water transport
Buoyancy in Water
Buoyancy is the force that counteracts gravity. In water, the high density of liquid water creates high buoyancy, allowing less dense materials to float. This property is crucial for aquatic life, as it influences the ability of organisms to float or swim
Viscosity of Water
Viscosity is the resistance to flow, related to how much energy is needed to change the shape of a liquid. Water has a lower viscosity compared to many liquids but higher than air, affecting the movement of organisms in aquatic environments
Thermal Conductivity of Water
Thermal conductivity is the ability to transfer heat when there’s a temperature difference. Water has high thermal conductivity compared to other liquids (except liquid metals), which significantly influences temperature regulation in aquatic ecosystems
Specific Heat Capacity of Water
Specific heat capacity refers to the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance. Water’s high specific heat capacity, due to hydrogen bonding between molecules, plays a crucial role in stabilizing temperatures in aquatic environments
Adaptations to Water’s Physical Properties
Animals have evolved various adaptations to water’s unique physical properties, such as body shapes to reduce drag in water, insulating layers to manage heat transfer, and physiological adaptations for buoyancy
