Key Ideas Properties of Water

TEKS 8.6C

Properties of Water

KEY IDEAS

• What is cohesion?
• What is adhesion?
• What is surface tension?

Words to Know

cohesion
adhesion
surface tension

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Categorize

Options (8)

Sticking to glass

Water droplets clump together

algae can't sink through

water forms droplets

Water droplets attract each other and form a big drop

Water sticks to a Spiderweb

Water sticks to your hands

A bug can float on water

Classify the Behaviors of Water

Adhesion

Cohesion

Surface Tension

​Page 20 -21

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What is cohesion?

Water molecules are

very attracted to

each other. The

tendency of water

molecules to stick to

one another is called

cohesion.

The cohesion of water helps
explain some natural phenomena, as well as a few
other properties of water.

Photo credit: Genkur/Alamy Stock Photo

Poll

Vote for which of the phenomena below is an example of cohesion

• Water sticks to a window

• Spilled water clumps into distinct drops

• Surface of water is strong enough for water bug to walk

• Fog forms on dust particles in air

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.

What is surface tension?

Because of cohesion, the other molecules of water
pull the surface molecules inward. This makes the
surface of the water act like a thin film. This
surface can support insects that would otherwise
sink. Surface tension cause a droplet of water to
take a spherical shape.

Photo credit: Jan Miko/Shutterstock

​Surface tension is

the strength of

the surface of

water.

Dropdown

Water molecules attract each other because of​

Select answer

. At the surface, water molecules attract each other more than they​

Select answer

to the air. As a result, a thin film forms at the surface. The strength of the thin film at the surface is called​

Select answer

. Surface tension causes a droplet of water to take a​

Select answer

.

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What is adhesion?

Adhesion is the attraction of molecules

of water to the molecules of another

substance.

Photo credit: Vladimir Khodataev/Shutterstock

​Adhesion explains why water
clings to vertical surfaces and the undersides of some objects
despite the force of gravity.

Multiple Choice

Which property of water is the result of the attraction of water molecules to each other?

• Adhesion

• Cohesion

• Surface Tension

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.

What is adhesion?

Adhesion and cohesion help plants draw water up through their stems. Because of adhesion, the water molecules stick to the inside of the plant's stem. Then the water molecules pull other water molecules up because of cohesion. This process, called capillary action, makes it easier for the plants to get water.

Capillary action

Photo credit: Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images

Categorize

Options (8)

Sticking to glass

Water droplets clump together

algae can't sink through

water forms droplets

Water droplets attract each other and form a big drop

Water sticks to a Spiderweb

Water sticks to your hands

A bug can float on water

Classify the Behaviors of Water

Adhesion

Cohesion

Surface Tension

Open Ended

Describe cohesion, surface tension and adhesion in your own words. Be sure to give examples.