Properties of Water

Front

What is the charge distribution in a water molecule?

Back

Water is a polar molecule, with a slightly negative charge on the oxygen end and a slightly positive charge on the hydrogen end.

Front

Why does ice float on water?

Back

Ice floats on water because it is less dense than liquid water.

Front

What is polarity in relation to water?

Back

Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms joined by the bond. In water, the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, creating a polar molecule.

Front

What is a universal solvent?

Back

A universal solvent is a substance that can dissolve most other substances. Water is known as a universal solvent because it can dissolve a wide variety of ionic and polar substances.

Front

What does high specific heat mean?

Back

High specific heat means that a substance requires a lot of energy to change its temperature. Water has a high specific heat, which helps regulate temperature in the environment.

Front

What are hydrogen bonds?

Back

Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between the hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another water molecule.

Front

What is cohesion in water?

Back

Cohesion is the property of water that allows it to stick to itself, which is why water droplets form.

Front

What is adhesion in water?

Back

Adhesion is the property of water that allows it to stick to other substances, which is why water can climb up a straw.

Front

How does water's density change when it freezes?

Back

When water freezes, it expands and becomes less dense, which is why ice floats on liquid water.

Front

What is surface tension?

Back

Surface tension is the cohesive force at the surface of a liquid that makes it behave like a stretched elastic membrane. Water has high surface tension due to hydrogen bonding.