Water Properties: Cohesion, Adhesion, and More

Study Notes

Water Properties

Water is essential to all forms of life on Earth. It is unique among liquids due to its fascinating properties, which enable it to perform various roles in numerous biological processes. These intriguing characteristics involve aspects such as cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, being a universal solvent, boiling point, and melting point.

Cohesion and Adhesion

Water exhibits a strong cohesive force, which is the attraction among like molecules. This leads to the formation of hydrogen bonds between water molecules. As a result, water molecules are attracted to each other, creating a cohesive force that causes water to form droplets or sticks to itself. Additionally, water has a moderate adhesive force that enables it to stick to non-polar molecules. This adhesive property is why water can climb up the side of a straw or wet the surface of a leaf.

Surface Tension

Water's surface tension is a measure of the force required to increase the surface area of a liquid. In the case of water, the surface tension is relatively high due to the hydrogen bonds between water molecules. This surface tension allows insects like water striders to walk on the surface of the water without sinking. It also enables surface-active agents, like soaps and detergents, to reduce the surface tension, allowing water to wet and clean surfaces more effectively.

Universal Solvent

Water is often referred to as a universal solvent due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances. The polar nature of water molecules allows them to interact with other polar molecules, forming hydrogen bonds. This interaction can facilitate the dissolving of many substances, making water essential for various chemical reactions and biological processes.

Boiling Point and Melting Point

The boiling point of water is the temperature at which it changes its phase from liquid to gas. At standard atmospheric pressure (1 atmosphere, 101.3 kPa), the boiling point of water is 100°C (212°F). Melting point, on the other hand, is the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid. The melting point of water is 0°C (32°F) at standard atmospheric pressure.

Understanding these properties of water is crucial for various applications, from understanding biological processes to designing more efficient industrial processes. Water's unique characteristics make it an integral part of life on Earth and a vital resource for numerous human activities.

Description

Learn about the fascinating properties of water, including cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, being a universal solvent, and its boiling and melting points. Explore how these characteristics make water essential for life and various processes.

Water Properties: Cohesion, Adhesion, and More

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Questions and Answers

What property of water allows it to form droplets and stick to itself?

Which force enables water to climb up the side of a straw or wet the surface of a leaf?

What property of water describes the force required to increase its surface area?

Which property of water is responsible for water striders being able to walk on its surface without sinking?

Which characteristic of water allows it to dissolve a wide variety of substances?

Among the properties mentioned, which one is related to reducing the surface tension of water?

What property of water allows it to dissolve a wide range of substances?

At what temperature does water change its phase from liquid to gas?

What is the melting point of water at standard atmospheric pressure?

Which property of water makes it an essential part of various chemical reactions and biological processes?

What characteristic of water makes it vital for numerous human activities?

Which property of water helps in the formation of droplets and capillary action?

Study Notes