Water (Practice Questions) Flashcards
Remember examples of the black-throated loon and ringed seal (physical properties of water)
Why is water polar?
Although covalently bonded, the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water do not share the electrons equally, resulting in polarity.
What property of oxygen causes polarity in water?
Oxygen has a higher electronegativity and attracts the electrons more strongly, resulting in an imbalance in charges in the poles of the water molecule.
Slightly positive charge
δ+
Slightly negative charge
δ-
What is a hydrogen bond?
A bond between a hydrogen atom and a highly electronegative atom (F, O, and N); stronger than standard polar associations
Which properties of water are hydrogen bonding responsible for?
Thermal, cohesive, adhesive, surface tension, and solvent properties
Draw a diagram of a hydrogen bond
Make sure the line representing the hydrogen bond is dotted
What is cohesion?
The attraction between water molecules through hydrogen bonding.
How does surface tension occur?
The hydrogen bonding between water molecules allows the liquid to resist low levels of external force, creating surface tension.
What is the importance of surface tension?
Smaller organisms can move across the surface of the water.
What is adhesion?
Water molecules stick to other polar or charged molecules by forming polar associations.
What is capillary action?
Capillary action is the process of water flowing in opposition to gravitational forces using the adhesive property of water.
What determines the strength of capillary action?
The strength is dependent on the diameter of the pore through which the water moves (smaller diameter = more action).
Why is capillary action necessary?
Capillary action is necessary to allow water to be transported up plant stems via a transpiration stream.
How does water move up from the roots to the leaves of a plant?
The adhesive properties of water allow it to first stick to the xylem cell walls, and the cohesive properties of water allow the water to move against gravity and up into the plant.