Warm Up: Water Properties and Facts

Front

What is surface tension in water?

Back

Surface tension is the cohesive force between water molecules at the surface, caused by hydrogen bonding, allowing some insects to skate on water.

Front

What causes water's high heat capacity?

Back

Water's high heat capacity is due to the hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which require a significant amount of energy to break, allowing water to absorb and store heat.

Front

What is cohesion in the context of water?

Back

Cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules, which is primarily due to hydrogen bonding, leading to phenomena like surface tension.

Front

What is the freezing point of water?

Back

The freezing point of water is 0°C (32°F).

Front

What is capillary action?

Back

Capillary action is the ability of water to flow in narrow spaces against gravity, due to adhesion to the walls of the container and cohesion between water molecules.

Front

Why do large bodies of water have stable temperatures?

Back

Large bodies of water have stable temperatures because of water's high heat capacity, which allows them to absorb and release heat without significant temperature changes.

Front

What is the universal solvent?

Back

Water is known as the universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid, due to its polar nature.

Front

What is the significance of water's polarity?

Back

Water's polarity allows it to form hydrogen bonds, leading to unique properties such as high surface tension, high heat capacity, and being an effective solvent.

Front

What happens to water molecules when they freeze?

Back

When water freezes, the molecules arrange themselves in a crystalline structure, which is less dense than liquid water, causing ice to float.

Front

What is the role of hydrogen bonds in water?

Back

Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between the positive hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the negative oxygen atom of another, responsible for water's unique properties.