Properties of Water

Question	Answer
Properties of Water (Thermal)	High Specific heat capacity High heat of vaporisation High heat of fusion result of the extensive hydrogen bonding between water molecules - this allows water to absorb considerable amounts of energy with little change in form
Properties of Water (Cohesive)	strongly cohesive (they tend to stick to one another) tend to stick to other molecules that are charged or polar (adhesion) occur as a result of the polarity of a water molecule and its ability to form hydrogen bonds with appropriate molecules
Properties of Water (Solvent)	can dissolve many organic and inorganic substances that contain electronegative atoms (such as fluorine, oxygen and nitrogen) occurs because the polar attraction of large quantities of water molecules can sufficiently weaken intramolecular forces
Properties of Water (Other)	transparent, allowing light to pass through it (important for photosynthesis) expands when frozen, becoming less dense / lighter (important for life on earth - oceans don't freeze)

Resource summary

	Created by ComfortDiane over 9 years ago