Properties of Water

Front

What gives oxygen in water a slightly negative charge?

Back

Electronegativity

Answer explanation

Electronegativity refers to the tendency of an atom to attract electrons. In water, oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, causing the oxygen atom to have a slight negative charge, while hydrogen has a slight positive charge.

Front

What allows water molecules to bond together?

Back

Hydrogen bonds

Answer explanation

Water molecules bond together primarily through hydrogen bonds. These are weak attractions between the positively charged hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the negatively charged oxygen atoms of another, allowing for cohesion.

Front

What property of water helps it defy gravity in plants?

Back

Adhesion

Answer explanation

Adhesion is the property of water that allows it to stick to other surfaces, such as the walls of plant vessels. This helps water move upward against gravity, enabling essential processes like nutrient transport in plants.

Front

What contributes to the surface tension of water?

Back

Cohesion

Answer explanation

Cohesion is the attraction between water molecules, which creates surface tension. This allows water to resist external forces, making it behave like a stretched elastic membrane. Adhesion, evaporation, and specific heat do not directly contribute to surface tension.

Front

What property of water allows it to dissolve many other molecules?

Back

Solvent power

Answer explanation

The property of water that allows it to dissolve many other molecules is its solvent power. Water's polarity enables it to interact with and separate various solutes, making it an excellent solvent.

Front

Why does water expand when it freezes?

Back

It becomes less dense

Answer explanation

Water expands when it freezes because it forms a crystalline structure that is less dense than liquid water. This unique property causes ice to float, making it less dense.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What property of water helps stabilize aquatic environment temperatures?

Back

Specific heat

Answer explanation

The specific heat of water is high, meaning it can absorb and store large amounts of heat without a significant change in temperature. This property helps stabilize temperatures in aquatic environments, making it crucial for aquatic life.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What process do animals rely on to cool themselves?

Back

Evaporation

Answer explanation

Animals rely on evaporation to cool themselves, as it allows them to lose heat through the process of sweat or panting. This cooling effect occurs when water changes from liquid to vapor, effectively lowering body temperature.

Front

What is the primary reason for water's high boiling point compared to other similar molecules?

Back

Its ability to form hydrogen bonds

Answer explanation

Water's high boiling point is primarily due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds. These strong intermolecular forces require more energy to break, resulting in a higher boiling point compared to similar molecules that cannot form such bonds.

Front

What property of water allows it to absorb a lot of heat in the summer?

Back

Specific heat

Answer explanation

The specific heat of water is high, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat without a significant increase in temperature. This property helps regulate temperatures in the summer, making it essential for climate stability.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4