Water Flashcard Review

Front

What is cohesion?

Back

Cohesion is the property of water molecules that allows them to stick to each other due to hydrogen bonding. This property is responsible for water droplets forming a spherical shape.

Front

What is adhesion?

Back

Adhesion is the property of water molecules that allows them to stick to other substances. This is important in processes like capillary action.

Front

Why can some lizards run on water?

Back

Some lizards can run on water due to cohesion, which allows their weight to be supported by the surface tension of the water.

Front

What type of molecule is water?

Back

Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other.

Front

Why does ice float on water?

Back

Ice floats on water because the hydrogen bonds in ice are spaced out, creating a structure that is less dense than liquid water.

Front

What is a nonpolar molecule?

Back

A nonpolar molecule is a molecule that does not have partial charges and does not interact well with polar substances like water.

Front

What is capillary action?

Back

Capillary action is the ability of water to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces, due to the combination of cohesion and adhesion.

Front

What is surface tension?

Back

Surface tension is the elastic tendency of a fluid surface that makes it acquire the least surface area possible, allowing small objects to float on it.

Front

What is the significance of water's high specific heat?

Back

Water's high specific heat means it can absorb a lot of heat before its temperature changes, which helps regulate temperatures in the environment.

Front

What is solubility?

Back

Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent, such as how salt dissolves in water.