Water Properties

Front

What is the main property of water that allows it to dissolve ionic compounds?

Back

Water is a polar solvent, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one end (hydrogens) and a partial negative charge on the other end (oxygen), which allows it to interact with and separate ionic compounds.

Front

What is surface tension in water caused by?

Back

Surface tension in water is caused by hydrogen bonds between water molecules, leading to cohesion that allows some insects, like water striders, to skate on its surface.

Front

Which part of a water molecule is positively charged?

Back

The hydrogen atoms in a water molecule are positively charged.

Front

What does it mean for a molecule to be polar?

Back

A polar molecule has a distribution of electrical charge that leads to a molecule having a positive end and a negative end.

Front

What type of bond forms between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and a negatively charged atom?

Back

This bond is called a hydrogen bond.

Front

Why can't water dissolve nonpolar compounds?

Back

Nonpolar compounds do not have charged regions, so they do not interact favorably with the polar water molecules.

Front

What is cohesion in the context of water?

Back

Cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding, which contributes to 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 plant roots and stems.

Front

How does water's high specific heat benefit the environment?

Back

Water's high specific heat allows it to absorb and store large amounts of heat, helping to regulate temperatures in the environment.

Front

What is the significance of water being a universal solvent?

Back

Water's ability to dissolve many substances makes it essential for biological processes and chemical reactions.