Water's Special Properties
Learning Objective
I can describe why water is polar and describe the unique properties of water and their importance for living organisms.
Key Concepts
Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has an uneven distribution of charge and is electrically neutral.
Electrons spend more time orbiting the oxygen nucleus, making it slightly more negative, while the hydrogens become slightly more positive.
Cohesion is when water molecules are attracted to themselves, while adhesion is when water molecules are attracted to other polar substances, leading to capillary action and high surface tension.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.
View questions preview
1. What does it mean for a molecule to be polar?
2. Explain how the structure of a water molecule (H₂O) leads to its polar nature.
3. What type of bond is formed between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms within a single water molecule?
...and 9 more questions
Educational Video
U2 Chem of Life 3
Steve Gooler