Water and Its Properties

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Water (H₂O)

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A colorless, odorless liquid essential for all forms of life, composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

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Cohesion

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The attractive force between particles of the same kind, causing them to stick together.

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Adhesion

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The attractive force between unlike substances, where one substance clings to another.

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Hydrogen Bonding

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A weak bond formed between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and a slightly negative oxygen or nitrogen atom in another molecule.

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Surface Tension

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The tendency of a liquid's surface to resist being broken, due to cohesive forces among liquid molecules.

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Specific Heat

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The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C; for water, it is 4,184 J/kg • °C.

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Capillary Action

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The ability of water to flow in narrow spaces against gravity, due to the combination of adhesion and cohesion.

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Polar Molecule

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A molecule with a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other, allowing it to form hydrogen bonds. Example: Water.

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Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

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Nutrients

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Substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.