Versatile Solvent: Due to its polarity and the dipole between hydrogen and oxygen allows it to dissociate ionic compounds as well as dissolve most covalent molecules. Water only rejects non-polar substances like oils and gasoline.
Cohesive: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other which creates high surface tension, this enables water striders to walk across ponds.
Adhesive: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules which results in capillary action, whcih allows water to creep up a narrow glass tube and paper.
High Specific Heat Capacity: Hydrogen bonding causes water to absorb a large amount of heat before its temperature increases and causes it to lose large amounts of heat before its temperature decreases significantly which results in temperature moderation and helps keep lake cities like Kingston moderately warm.
High Specific Heat of Vapourization: Hydrogen bonding causes liquid water to absorb a large amount of heat to become a vapour which causes evaporative cooling which makes many organisms dissipate body heat by evaporation of water from our skin by sweating.
Highest Density at 4 Degrees Celsius: As water molecules cool below 0 degrees celsius they form a crystalline lattice and the hydrogen bonds create v-shaped molecules which spread the moleules apart reducing the density below that of liquid water which is why ice floats on liquid water and is a reason why fish and other aquatic organisms are able to survive in winter.

	Created by brandon.hoon.lee about 11 years ago

IB Biology Year 2 (Unit 1: Functional Groups/Macromolecules/Cell Structure) Note on IB Biology Year 2 Metabolic Processes Unit, created by brandon.hoon.lee on 21/09/2013.