water Flashcards
how does water dissolve solutes?
water is polar
negative and positive parts of water
attach to the opposite charges of solute molecules
keeps the solute molecules away from each other
eventual dissolution
describe ‘polar’ in relation to molecules
molecules that have regions of negativity and positivity
this is due to the way in which electrons are distributed between elements joined by covalent bonds
hydrogen bonds arw
relatively weak interaction that form and break between constantly moving water molecules
what does ice do that’s good and how does it help?
water becomes less dense when it becomes ice
allowing aquatic organisms to have a stable environment during cold seasons
provides an insulating layer preventing large bodies of water from freezing
five anions important in organisms
NO3 - (nitrate ion)
HCO3 - (hydrogen carbonate ion)
Cl - (chloride ion)
PO4 3- (phosphate ion)
OH- (hydroxide ion)
how does water get its polarity
negative and positive regions of molecule attract each other and form hydrogen bonds
gives water cohesion
allows it to move as one body because molecules attract each other
also gives water adhesion
five cations that are important
Ca 2+ (calcium ion)
Na + (sodium ion)
K + (potassium ion)
H + (hydrogen ion)
NH4 + (ammonium ion)
list the 5 properties of water
high specific heat capacity
high boiling point
less dense when frozen
cohesion and adhesion
‘skin’ of surface tension
what are the uses of water
provide habitat for organisms
major component of tissues in living organisms
provide a reaction medium for chemical reactions
provide an effective transport medium
why is a high specific heat capacity good?
keeps habitats stable as water’s temperature is stable
metabolic rate of animals doesn’t get too unstable due to stable temperature
