Water Properties Interactive Flashcard

Front

What is surface tension?

Back

Surface tension is the property of a liquid that allows it to resist an external force, due to the cohesive nature of its molecules. It is responsible for the dome shape of water on a penny.

Front

What is adhesion?

Back

Adhesion is the tendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling to one another. In plants, adhesion helps water molecules stick to the walls of xylem vessels.

Front

What is cohesion?

Back

Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same substance. In water, it causes molecules to stick together, forming drops.

Front

How does cohesion affect water's surface tension?

Back

Cohesion increases the surface tension of water, allowing it to form droplets and resist external forces.

Front

What is capillary action?

Back

Capillary action is the ability of water to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces, due to adhesion and cohesion.

Front

How does temperature affect the properties of water?

Back

As temperature increases, water molecules move faster, which can decrease cohesion and surface tension.

Front

What is polarity in water molecules?

Back

Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms joined by the bond. Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other.

Front

What role does water's polarity play in its solvent properties?

Back

Water's polarity allows it to dissolve many substances, making it an excellent solvent for ionic and polar compounds.

Front

What happens to water's boiling point when salt is added?

Back

Adding salt to water raises its boiling point due to the presence of dissolved ions, which disrupt the formation of vapor.

Front

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

Back

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance. Water has a high specific heat capacity, allowing it to absorb and store heat.