Water Properties

Front

What is cohesion in the context of water?

Back

Cohesion is the property of water that allows it to stick to itself, resulting in phenomena like surface tension.

Front

What is adhesion in the context of water?

Back

Adhesion is the property of water that allows it to stick to other materials, such as glass.

Front

What type of bond is present in a water molecule?

Back

Water molecules are held together by polar covalent bonds.

Front

What does it mean for a molecule to be polar?

Back

A polar molecule has opposite charges on opposite ends, leading to a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other.

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.

Front

How do hydrogen bonds contribute to water's properties?

Back

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules create cohesion and surface tension, allowing insects like water striders to skate on water.

Front

What is the significance of water's high specific heat?

Back

Water's high specific heat allows it to absorb and release large amounts of heat without significant temperature changes, stabilizing climates.

Front

What is density in relation to water?

Back

Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance; water is most dense at 4°C, which is why ice floats.

Front

What is the role of water in biological systems?

Back

Water is essential for life, serving as a solvent, a temperature buffer, and a medium for biochemical reactions.

Front

What is capillary action?

Back

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