21.1 Water 21.2 Solutions 21.3 Acids, Bases, and pH We live on a watery planet. All life on Earth depends on this combination of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. What are the properties of water that make it so valuable? When two hydrogen atoms each share one electron with an oxygen atom, a neutral molecule is formed. Because negative charges repel, the electrons pairs around the oxygen atom are located where they are the farthest apart. This results in a geometric shape called a tetrahedron. A water molecule has a negative end (pole) and a positive end. A molecule (like water) with a charge separation is called a polar molecule. Ammonia, NH3, is another polar molecule. With one lone pair and three bonding pairs of electrons. This gives the ammonia molecule a pyramid shape. Methane, CH4, is a nonpolar molecule. Since there are no lone pairs of electrons, the electrons are shared equally between atoms. A hydrogen bond is a bond between the hydrogen on one molecule to another atom on another molecule. Hydrogen bonds are relatively weak so they constantly break and re-form. Frozen water (or ice) has an organized structure that resembles a honeycomb because each water molecule can form hydrogen bonds with four other water molecules. The attraction between water molecules, called Cohesion, helps water travel from roots to stems and leaves. Water has a high specific heat value because of hydrogen bonds. In order for water to boil, enough energy must be added to separate the hydrogen bonds. Water dissolves sodium chloride (salt) to form a solution of sodium (+) and chlorine (-) ions. Called dissosociation. Dissolving As water molecules collide with sugar crystals, attractions develop between the water molecules and sugar molecules at the surface of the solid. In general, like dissolves like: ◦ water dissolves polar substances ◦ non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar substances