Properties of Water

• Specific heat refers to the amount of heat needed to change the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree
• Water's specific heat is high because of the hydrogen bonds that hold water molecules together
• Water is excellent for helping to maintain a constant internal body temperature because of its high specific heat
• Water is often referred to as the "universal solvent"
• A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve a substance.
• A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solvent.
• Water is best at dissolving salts and other polar molecules because of its polarity
• Heat of vaporization refers to the amount of heat needed to convert a liquid to a gas
• Water's heat of vaporization is high
• Adhesion is the attraction between two surfaces that are not in contact with each other.
• Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same substance.