Water and Life Flashcards
Water chemical formula
H₂O
Water is a neutral molecule
(True or False)
True
Polar Molecule
A molecule in which the charges are unevenly distributed;
(Charges written parentheses (+) or (-) to show that the charges are weaker than ions) polar molecules attract each other because of their slight negative and positive charge
Why are water molecules considered polar molecules?
Water molecules are considered polar molecules because they consist of one oxygen atom (that has a stronger pull because it has more protons in the nucleus) and two hydrogen atoms (which have a weaker pull because it has less protons in its nucleus) This causes the oxygen molecule to get more electrons than the hydrogen atoms in the covalent bond, causing the oxygen molecule to have a slightly negative charge and the hydrogen molecules to have a slightly positive charge.
Hydrogen Bonding
Attraction of water molecules because of the slightly negative and positive charges of a water molecule; not as strong as covalent or ionic bonds (temporary)
What are the most common atoms involved in hydrogen bonding?
Oxygen, nitrogen, and fluorine
Cohesion
attraction between molecules of the same substance –> always through hydrogen bonds; creates a surface tension which allows some insects to walk on water
(Ex:water molecules)
Adhesion
attraction between molecules of different substances
(Ex: water molecules and glass molecules)
Capillary Action
One of the forces that draws water out of the roots of a plant and up into its stems and leaves. This is a combination of cohesion (which holds the water molecules together) and adhesion (which causes the water to rise)
Heat Capacity
the amount of heat energy required to increase an object’s temperature by 1 degree
Heat Capacity of Water
Water has a high temperature because it is highly cohesive.
Mixture
a material composed of two or more elements or compounds that are physically mixed together, but not chemically combined.
Types of mixtures
Solutions and Suspensions
Solution
a mixture in which all components are evenly distributed
(Ex: salt dissolving in warm water)
Suspension
mixtures of water and non dissolved material
(Ex: our blood is mostly water and suspended cells)
Solute
the substance that is dissolved
Solvent
the substance in which the solute dissolves
ph Scale
system used to indicate the concentration of H+ (hydrogen) ions in a solution. This system ranges from 0-14; below 7 the ph is acidic, at 7 the ph is neutral, above 7 the pH is basic.
the pH scale is logarithmic meaning each step represents a factor of 10 difference
Base
(aka proton acceptors) a compound that produces OH- (hydroxide) ions in a solution; pH above 7
Why are bases known as proton acceptors?
Bases are known as proton acceptors because they attract H+ ions to create water.
(look at example in notebook)
Buffer
weak acids or bases that can react with strong acids or bases to prevent sharp, sudden change in pH and maintain a specific pH –> extremely important for maintaining homeostasis because enzymes can only operate under certain conditions
Acid aka
proton donors
Why are acids considered proton donors?
Acids are considered proton donors because they give off H+ ions. These hydrogen ions are considered protons because to become an ion they need to get rid of the one electron in there valence shell.
One Universal Solvent
water