Water Properties

Front

What is surface tension?

Back

Surface tension is the tightness across the surface of water that allows objects, like paper clips, to float. It is caused by the cohesive forces between water molecules.

Front

Why does water bead up on a penny?

Back

Water beads up on a penny due to its high surface tension, which is a result of the cohesive forces between water molecules.

Front

What is cohesion in the context of water?

Back

Cohesion refers to the tendency of water molecules to stick to each other, which is why water forms droplets.

Front

What causes water molecules to stick together?

Back

Water molecules stick together because one side of the molecule has a positive charge and the other side has a negative charge, creating polar attractions.

Front

What is adhesion?

Back

Adhesion is the property of water that describes its attraction to other substances, allowing it to spread on surfaces.

Front

Define capillary action.

Back

Capillary action is the ability of water to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces, often seen in plants as water moves up from roots to leaves.

Front

What is polarity in water molecules?

Back

Polarity in water molecules refers to the distribution of electrical charge, where one end of the molecule is slightly positive and the other end is slightly negative.

Front

How does water's high specific heat benefit the environment?

Back

Water's high specific heat allows it to absorb and store large amounts of heat, helping to regulate temperatures in the environment.

Front

What is the universal solvent?

Back

Water is known as the universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid, making it essential for biological processes.

Front

Explain the concept of density in relation to water.

Back

Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. Water is unique because it is less dense as a solid (ice) than as a liquid, allowing ice to float.