Properties of water Flashcards
are water molecules polar or non-polar?
polar
why are water molecules polar?
due to the uneven distribution of charge within the molecules (O is much more electronegative than H)
what types of bonding are in/ in-between water molecules?
covalent bonding between O and H in water molecule and hydrogen bonding between water molecules
why do hydrogen bonds form between water molecules?
as a result of the polarity of water
where do hydrogen bonds form between water molecules?
the delta positive end of one water (H) to the delta negative end of an adjacent water (O)
name 2 of the 7 properties of water
-metabolite
-very good solvent
-high specific heat capacity
-relatively large latent heat of vaporisation
-less dense than ice
-strong cohesion between molecules
-incompresible
what does metabolite mean?
a substance made or broken in a metabolic reaction
example of when water is a metabolite
hydrolysis or condensation (the breaking or forming of bonds)
what does high specific heat capacity mean?
the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C
why is it good that water has a high specific heat capacity?
minimises temp fluctuations in living things, therefore it acts as a buffer
what does it mean that water has a high latent heat of vaporisation?
evaporation of water gives a cooling effect, without much water loss
what do hydrogen bonds between water molecules allow?
allows cohesion for transpiration and pond-skater habitat
is water more or less dense than ice?
water is denser than ice
how does water’s density relate to its function?
aquatic habitats are protected under floating ice
