Water properties

Front

What is cohesion in relation to water?

Back

Cohesion is the property of water that causes water molecules to stick to each other due to hydrogen bonding, allowing for phenomena like water droplets forming.

Front

What is adhesion in relation to water?

Back

Adhesion is the property of water that causes water molecules to stick to other substances, which is important for processes like capillary action.

Front

What is surface tension?

Back

Surface tension is the tightness across the surface of water caused by the cohesive forces between water molecules, allowing objects like paper clips to float.

Front

How do water striders walk on water?

Back

Water striders can walk on water due to surface tension, which supports their weight.

Front

What is the chemical formula of water?

Back

The chemical formula of water is H2O, meaning it consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Front

What does it mean for a substance to be polar?

Back

A polar substance has a distribution of electrical charge that leads to a positive and negative end, allowing it to dissolve other polar substances like salt.

Front

Why does oil not dissolve in water?

Back

Oil does not dissolve in water because it is non-polar, while water is polar, leading to immiscibility.

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 adhesion and cohesion.

Front

What is specific heat?

Back

Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance, and water has a high specific heat, allowing it to moderate temperature changes.

Front

What is the universal solvent?

Back

Water is often called the universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid, due to its polarity.