3.2 water

Question 1

why is water a polar molecule

Answer 1

due to the uneven distribution of charges, the hydrogen is slightly more postive than the oxygen atoms

Question 2

whats the benefit of waters high specific heat capacity

Answer 2

as lots of energy is required to warm water up it can minimise temperature fluctuations and act as a buffer

Question 3

whats the benefit of waters high latent heat of vapourisation

Answer 3

evapouration of water provides a cooling effect with little water loss

Question 4

whats the benefit of waters cohesive properties

Answer 4

it enables effective transport of water in tube like transport cells as cohesion supports columns of water
it also creates surface tension

Question 5

whats the benefit of ice being less dense than water

Answer 5

it floats on top of water creating an insulating layer and helps the survival of organisms below

Question 6

why is water a good transport medium

Answer 6

ionic compounds can dissolve in it and be transported through cell walls