3.1.7 Water

• Water molecules- polar molecules, strong attraction between molecules, forms hydrogen bonds between oppositely charged atoms, cohesive
• Surface tension- created when water molecules meet air particles, hydrogen bonds resist stretching or breaking the surface of the liquid
• Polar molecules- molecules where one side is more charged than the other
• Properties of water:

  • High specific heat capacity- lots of energy required for a large change in temperature
  • High latent heat- lots of energy needed to turn water into water vapour
  • Cooling effects- evaporation to cool down surfaces
  • Liquid medium- for chemical reactions
  • Metabolite- used in hydrolysis reactions and condensation reactions