**Chemistry behind water molecules**
The electrons that are shared between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms in a water
molecule has the oxygen atom having a greater pull of the electrons making it slightly
electronegative than hydrogen.
- Hydrogen being slightly positive means that water is a polar molecule (dipole)
- Hydrogen bonds are formed between the water molecules because of the forces of
attraction between the slightly positive and slightly negative parts of the molecules
Physical properties of Water
**HIGH SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY**
- The hydrogen bonds in the water give the water a high stability meaning that it has a high
specific heat capacity. It requires a lot of energy to raise the temperature of the water
- This is an advantage as it allows the stability of an aquatic environment
Also it is good for cooling: large amounts of heat is required to evaporate water.
**ICE IS LESS DENSE**
- Water in solid form, is less dense than water in liquid form.
- The molecules expand as they are held apart due to the semi crystalline structure formed
from low levels of kinetic energy.
- The surface of water, in cold temperatures, have an icy solid layer surface due to the low
density of ice in comparison to water
This keeps organisms underneath alive
**COHESIVE**
- Water is cohesive
- Cohesion meaning that the molecules in the substance have a tendency to stick to each
other due to the hydrogen bonds
- This is useful in the transport of water in the xylem of plants
Also a high surface tension allowing small insects like pond skaters to glide along the water
**GOOD SOLVENT**
- Water is a good solvent because it is polar: it can break apart ionic bonds between ions
and can interact with charged regions of a molecule and dissolve the substance
- It is a good medium as it is liquid in a wide range of temperatures
The electrons that are shared between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms in a water
molecule has the oxygen atom having a greater pull of the electrons making it slightly
electronegative than hydrogen.
- Hydrogen being slightly positive means that water is a polar molecule (dipole)
- Hydrogen bonds are formed between the water molecules because of the forces of
attraction between the slightly positive and slightly negative parts of the molecules
Physical properties of Water
**HIGH SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY**
- The hydrogen bonds in the water give the water a high stability meaning that it has a high
specific heat capacity. It requires a lot of energy to raise the temperature of the water
- This is an advantage as it allows the stability of an aquatic environment
Also it is good for cooling: large amounts of heat is required to evaporate water.
**ICE IS LESS DENSE**
- Water in solid form, is less dense than water in liquid form.
- The molecules expand as they are held apart due to the semi crystalline structure formed
from low levels of kinetic energy.
- The surface of water, in cold temperatures, have an icy solid layer surface due to the low
density of ice in comparison to water
This keeps organisms underneath alive
**COHESIVE**
- Water is cohesive
- Cohesion meaning that the molecules in the substance have a tendency to stick to each
other due to the hydrogen bonds
- This is useful in the transport of water in the xylem of plants
Also a high surface tension allowing small insects like pond skaters to glide along the water
**GOOD SOLVENT**
- Water is a good solvent because it is polar: it can break apart ionic bonds between ions
and can interact with charged regions of a molecule and dissolve the substance
- It is a good medium as it is liquid in a wide range of temperatures
