Water Flashcards
1
Q
Structure of water
A
- dipolar molecule
- unevenly distributed charge
2
Q
Why is the charge unevenly distributed in water?
A
Because the oxygen atom is slightly negative and the hydrogen atoms are slightly positive
3
Q
What are the 5 properties of water?
A
- metabolite
- solvent
- high specific heat capacity
- high latent heat of vaporisation
- strong cohesion
4
Q
Why is water a good metabolite?
A
Because it’s involved in and helps in many different reactions like photosynthesis, hydrolysis and condensation
5
Q
Why is water a good solvent?
A
Because it can dissolve many substances due to being dipolar
It can transport a lot of polar substances easily to cells
6
Q
Why is having a high specific heat capacity useful in water?
A
- a lot of energy is required to raise the temperature due to a lot of hydrogen bonds between molecules
- useful because the temperature of water remains relatively stable
7
Q
Why is having a large latent heat of vaporisation advantageous?
A
- a lot of energy required to convert water from a liquid to a solid due to hydrogen bonds
- advantageous since it produces a cooling effect like when humans sweat
8
Q
Why is strong cohesion useful in water?
A
- water molecules stick together due to hydrogen bonds
- means water can move up the xylem as a continuous column of water
- provides surface tension
