Question
Special properties of water include its cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. Which characteristic of the water molecule is most useful for explaining all three of these special properties?
Answers
Answer
So, the molecule has sides that have slight electrical charges.
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The characteristic of the water molecule that is most useful for explaining its cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension is its polarity. Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a partial positive charge on one side (the hydrogen atoms) and a partial negative charge on the other side (the oxygen atom). This polarity leads to hydrogen bonding, which is the attraction between the positively charged hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the negatively charged oxygen atoms of other water molecules.
1. **Cohesion**: This is the phenomenon where water molecules are attracted to each other due to hydrogen bonds. This property contributes to the formation of water droplets and allows for the movement of water in plants.
2. **Adhesion**: This refers to the attraction between water molecules and other substances. The polarity of water allows it to form hydrogen bonds with various materials, such as glass or plant cell walls, facilitating capillary action.
3. **Surface Tension**: This property arises because the molecules at the surface of a liquid experience different forces than those in the bulk of the liquid. The water molecules at the surface are pulled inward by cohesion, creating a "skin" on the surface that allows objects (like small insects) to rest on it without sinking.
In summary, the polarity of water is the fundamental characteristic that helps explain its cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
1. **Cohesion**: This is the phenomenon where water molecules are attracted to each other due to hydrogen bonds. This property contributes to the formation of water droplets and allows for the movement of water in plants.
2. **Adhesion**: This refers to the attraction between water molecules and other substances. The polarity of water allows it to form hydrogen bonds with various materials, such as glass or plant cell walls, facilitating capillary action.
3. **Surface Tension**: This property arises because the molecules at the surface of a liquid experience different forces than those in the bulk of the liquid. The water molecules at the surface are pulled inward by cohesion, creating a "skin" on the surface that allows objects (like small insects) to rest on it without sinking.
In summary, the polarity of water is the fundamental characteristic that helps explain its cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
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