Water polarity questions and answers
1. Table salt (NaCl) is an ionic compound. As with other ionic compounds, NaCl dissolves in
water. When placed in water, Na and Cl form ions. Na has a positive charge and Cl has a
negative charge. Describe how water molecules interact with these ions.
Because of its polarity water can bond with just about any substance. It has electrons to share.
2. As we know, a plant’s roots absorb water. However, water is needed by all parts of the
plant. Based on what we learned about the polarity of water, explain how water is
transported through tiny tubes from the roots to the leaves within a plant. (Video hint:
Think about how blood moves around the body.)
Water moves through a plant because of tension
3. If you drop a metal paperclip into a cup of water, it will sink to the bottom. However, with
practice, you can gently place a metal paperclip on the surface of the water and it will
balance or appear to float. Explain why this happens.
Surface tension due to hydrogen bonding creates a thin film on the surface of the water that give
enough resistance for the paperclip to float
Polarity refers to the _______________ in a molecule.
Unequal sharing of protons
Unequal sharing of electrons *
Equal sharing of protons
Equal sharing of electrons
Which of the statements below correctly describes the partial charges on the atoms in a water molecule?
All the atoms act as if they have a positive charge.
All the atoms act as if they have a negative charge.
The oxygen atom acts as if it has a positive charge while the hydrogen atoms act as if they have a
negative charge.
1. Table salt (NaCl) is an ionic compound. As with other ionic compounds, NaCl dissolves in
water. When placed in water, Na and Cl form ions. Na has a positive charge and Cl has a
negative charge. Describe how water molecules interact with these ions.
Because of its polarity water can bond with just about any substance. It has electrons to share.
2. As we know, a plant’s roots absorb water. However, water is needed by all parts of the
plant. Based on what we learned about the polarity of water, explain how water is
transported through tiny tubes from the roots to the leaves within a plant. (Video hint:
Think about how blood moves around the body.)
Water moves through a plant because of tension
3. If you drop a metal paperclip into a cup of water, it will sink to the bottom. However, with
practice, you can gently place a metal paperclip on the surface of the water and it will
balance or appear to float. Explain why this happens.
Surface tension due to hydrogen bonding creates a thin film on the surface of the water that give
enough resistance for the paperclip to float
Polarity refers to the _______________ in a molecule.
Unequal sharing of protons
Unequal sharing of electrons *
Equal sharing of protons
Equal sharing of electrons
Which of the statements below correctly describes the partial charges on the atoms in a water molecule?
All the atoms act as if they have a positive charge.
All the atoms act as if they have a negative charge.
The oxygen atom acts as if it has a positive charge while the hydrogen atoms act as if they have a
negative charge.
