Properties of Water
Copy notes into note guide. Choose a
different color for each property
of water to color code your notes.
1. POLARITY
• The Oxygen end of the water molecule
has a partial negative charge (due to
pulling Hydrogen’s electrons towards its
nucleus) while the Hydrogen end has a
partial positive charge.
• Overall charge on molecule is neutral
however the charge is unevenly
distributed thus making water a Polar
Compound.
• Polar nature of water causes molecules
to be attracted to one another.
2. SOLUBILITY OR SOLVENT
• From Latin solvere meaning “to loosen.”
• Water dissolves other polar substances
(ionic compounds, sugar, some proteins)
• Water does not dissolve
nonpolar substances (oil) due to a weaker
attraction between polar and non-polar
molecules.
3. HYDROGEN BONDING
I’m stuck on you !!!!
http://www.northland.cc.mn.us/biology
/Biology1111/animations/hydrogenbond
s.html
• Hydrogen bonds are
weak bonds that form
between the partial
positive hydrogen atom
and the partial or
negative oxygen atom.
• Hydrogen bonds form,
break, and reform
frequently.
• Hydrogen bonds cause
water to form a liquid
at room temperature.
4. COHESION
Ex.) Basilisk Lizard
• Attractive force
that holds molecules
of water together.
• Creates surface
tension where water
“sticks” to water
and forms a “skin” http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/
animals/reptiles/green-basilisk-lizard/
by pulling the
molecules at the
surface of the
water downward
into the liquid.
5. ADHESION
• The attractive force
of water molecules
to “stick” to another
material or surface.
• Water “sticks” to
other substances
that also have a
charge.
• Holds two different
substances together.
6. CAPILLARITY or CAPILLARY ACTION
• Attraction between molecules
that results in the rise of the
surface of a liquid when in
contact with a solid.
• Water molecules are attracted
to another surface (adhesion).
Water “sticks” to water
(cohesion) and moves up the
straw.
• Forces of adhesion, cohesion,
and capillarity help water rise
through narrow tubes against
gravity (ex. Stem of flower)
7. DENSITY
• Water has a density of 1.00g/mL
• Any substance that has a density less than
1.00g/mL will float while any substance that
has a density greater than 1.00g/mL will
______.
• Density = Mass (g) / Volume (mL)
8. Temperature Moderation
• Water has a high heat capacity- can
absorb or release large amounts of
energy with only a slight temp. change.
• Energy is absorbed to break hydrogen
bonds and is released as heat when
bonds form.