AP Biology Properties of Water

What property of water allows it to be such a versatile solvent that it is often called the "universal solvent?"

• Purity

• Polarity

• High heat capacity

• Expansion upon freezing

Which of the following properties of water enables molecules to cling together as they move from the roots to the leaves of plants?

• Water expands as it freezes.
• Water is an excellent solvent.
• Water exhibits cohesive behavior.
• Water moderates temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Capillary action (water creeping up surfaces) is the result of adhesion. Which aspect of water is responsible for this?

• Nonpolar covalent bonds enable water to dissolve other substances.

• Polar covalent bonds join molecules of water to other substances.

• Hydrogen bonds form between water and another substance.

• Ionic bonds enable electrons to flow through water and into another substance.

Large bodies of water do not quickly fluctuate, or change, in temperature. Why?

• Water is a solvent.

• Water has a high specific heat.

• Water acts as a buffer.

• Water is non-polar.

Some insects can stand on the surface of calm water. Their feet push the surface of the water down slightly, but they do not break the surface. Why?

• The insects are light enough so they do not break the hydrogen bonds holding the water molecules together
  
• The insects actually use their wings to hover slightly above the water’s surface and they only skim it with their feet.
• The insect’s feet are non-polar, so they are repelled by the polar water molecules and are pushed away from the water’s surface.
• The insects are small enough to see the individual water molecules, so they are able to step carefully from one molecule to the next
  

What term describes when water is attracted to other substances?

• Cohesion
• Adhesion
• Capillary Action
• Surface Tension

Why does water move from the roots to the leaves of plants?

• Water is pushed by little insects that work for the plant.

• Capillary action due to cohesion and adhesion pulls the water molecules like a chain.

• Water is pulled upward by gravity.

• Water heats up in the roots and vapor rises to the leaves.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Attractions between water molecules due to polarity are called:

• Covalent bonds
• Ionic bonds
• Polar bonds
• Hydrogen bonds

Attraction of molecules to the same kind of molecule is called:

• adhesion

• capillary action

• cohesion

• surface tension

Why does ice float?

• As water freezes, it expands and its density decreases.
• As water freezes, it takes up more hydrogen from the atmosphere, causing it to have a greater buoyancy.
• As water freezes, air becomes trapped between the hydrogen bonds of water molecules.
• As water freezes, it takes up more oxygen from the atmosphere, causing it to have a greater buoyancy.