9th Properties of Water Review

Front

What is specific heat?

Back

Specific heat is the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water has a high specific heat, allowing it to absorb a lot of heat without a significant temperature change.

Front

How does water's high specific heat affect coastal cities?

Back

Coastal cities experience milder temperatures because water can absorb and store heat, preventing rapid temperature changes.

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. It allows objects like paper clips to float on water.

Front

Why is water considered a universal solvent?

Back

Water is called a universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid due to its polar nature.

Front

What does it mean for water to be polar?

Back

Water is polar because it has a partial positive charge on one side (hydrogens) and a partial negative charge on the other side (oxygen), allowing it to interact with various molecules.

Front

What is the charge of a hydrogen atom?

Back

A hydrogen atom has a positive charge.

Front

What is cohesion in relation to water?

Back

Cohesion is the attraction between water molecules, which allows them to stick together, contributing to phenomena like surface tension.

Front

What is adhesion in relation to water?

Back

Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other substances, which allows water to climb up surfaces, such as in capillary action.

Front

What is capillary action?

Back

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

Front

Why is ice less dense than liquid water?

Back

Ice is less dense than liquid water because its molecular structure forms a crystalline lattice that takes up more space than when water is in its liquid state.