Special Properties of H20

Question 1

Special Properties: Guided Questions

Answer 1

1. How does water’s chemistry explain the given property?

2. Provide examples of how this applies to living organisms.

Question 2

Cohesion and Adhesion

Answer 2

Cohesion: when water is attracted to water
Adhesion: when water is attracted to other polar substances

Question 3

Cohesion and Adhesion: Guided Questions

Answer 3

1. Water is a polar molecule, and the opposite charges in polar molecules attract.
2. This property applies to xylem transport and moist pleura in the lungs (adhesion)

Question 4

High Specific Heat Capacity

Answer 4

Water has a high specific heat capacity (4.18J/g C) - this is due to the hydrogen bonds absorbing heat when the form and releasing it when they break: the benefit of this is that living thing’s temperatures will not change with the environment.

Question 5

High Specific Heat Capacity: Guided Questions

Answer 5

1. Water heats and cools slowly - this takes energy (to raise 1 gram of water up a degree, you require 4.18 Joules)
2. Living organisms are able to keep their temperature at a regular level.

Question 6

Heat of Vaporization

Answer 6

For water to evaporate, many hydrogen bonds must be broken - the amount of energy that is required for water to change states.