Notes: Properties of Water
Objective: To be able to describe the unique properties of water and how these properties support
life on Earth
Review of chemistry (use the power point if you do not remember the definitions: remember to write definitions in your own
words)

An element is

An atom is

An ion is

A compound is

A molecule is

An ionic bond is

A covalent bond is

A hydrogen bond is
The Chemistry of Water
 Structure
 Chemical formula=
 # of H atoms=
 # of O atoms=
Using the diagram below and your
textbook, answer the four questions on
the next page
1. What kinds of bonds hold the atoms of Hydrogen and Oxygen in a water molecule together?
2. What kind of bond holds one water molecule to another ?
3. Are the hydrogen atoms bonded together? If not, what are they bonded to?
4. Why is water considered a polar molecule?
a. Why is the oxygen end of a water molecule partially negative?
b. Why is the hydrogen end of a water molecule partially positive?
A list of some Properties of Water
a. High polarity and surface tension (what is the relationship between the two terms)
b. Cohesion and Adhesion (what is the relationship between the two terms)
c. Hydrogen bonds (describe the hydrogen bonds in water)
d. Universal solvent (why is water a great solvent? What type of substance will it dissolve)
e. High specific heat and heat of vaporization(what is the relationship between the two
terms)