Properties of water

• What is the specific heat capacity of water?


  The amount of energy in joules required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C
• Why is the specific heat capacity of water considered high?


  Because a large amount of energy is required to break the hydrogen bonds
• How does the high specific heat capacity of water benefit organisms?


  It helps them avoid rapid changes in their internal environment
• How does the temperature change of land compare to that of lakes?


  Land can warm up and cool down quickly, while lakes take months to change temperature significantly
• What causes water's lower density in its solid form?

  The orientation of hydrogen bonds as it freezes
• What happens to water molecules when water freezes?


  They are pushed farther apart than in liquid water
• Does water expand or contract when it freezes?


  Water expands when it freezes
• What bonds need to be broken to raise the temperature of water?

  Hydrogen bonds
• What does a high specific heat capacity indicate about water's temperature response?


  It indicates that water resists rapid temperature changes
• What is the function of water in the blood?


  It acts as a transport medium for nutrients and waste
• How is the thermal nature of water important in the blood?


  It helps maintain a stable temperature in the body
• If it is 50°C outside, will the lake's temperature rise to 50°C? Explain your answer.


  No, because lakes take a long time to change temperature significantly
• Which state of matter has the lowest density?


  Gas
• Which state of matter has the highest density?

  Solid
• Is water less dense as a solid or liquid?


  Water is less dense as a solid
• Is all water less dense as a solid or liquid?


  Yes, all water is less dense as a solid
• How are water molecules arranged in its solid form?


  They are arranged in a way that pushes them farther apart
• What would you expect to observe when filling a water bottle to the very top and then putting it in the freezer?


  The water will expand and may overflow
• If the temperature outside is 0°C, does all the water in a lake freeze? Explain your answer.


  No, because not all water reaches the freezing point at the same time
• How do the properties of water make it an ideal transport medium?


  Water can dissolve many substances and maintain stable temperatures
• How does the density of water allow organisms to survive in bodies of water during winter?


  Ice forms on the surface, insulating the water below
• How are the thermal properties of water useful for aquatic organisms?


  They help maintain a stable environment for survival
• What is the structure of a water molecule?


  A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom