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39 Water
Key Idea: Water forms bonds between other water molecules is important in cell chemistry as it takes part in, and is
and also with ions allowing water to act as a medium for a common product of, many reactions. Water can form
transporting molecules. bonds with other water molecules, and also with other ions
Water (H2O) is the main component of living things, and (charged molecules). Because of this chemical ability, water
typically makes up about 70% of any organism. Water is regarded as the universal solvent.
Water Forms Hydrogen Bonds
A water molecule is polar, meaning it has a Small –ve H H H H
positively and a negatively charged region. In charge δ- O O
water, oxygen has a slight negative charge O
and each of the hydrogens have a slight O Hydrogen
positive charge. Water molecules have a
weak attraction for each other, forming large
H H H H bond
numbers of weak hydrogen bonds with other +
water molecules (far right). δ+ H H
O
Small +ve charges

Intermolecular bonds between water and

other polar molecules or ions are important for
biological systems. Inorganic ions may have a
positive or negative charge (e.g sodium ion is Oxygen is
positive, chloride ion is negative). The charged attracted to
Na+ the Na+ Cl–
water molecule is attracted to the charged
ion and surrounds it (right). This formation of Hydrogen
intermolecular bonds between water and the is attracted
ions is what keeps the ions dissolved in water. to the Cl-
Polar molecules such as amino acids and Water surrounding a Water surrounding a
carbohydrates also dissolve readily in water. positive ion (Na+) negative ion (Cl-)

Comparing Water and Methane

Water and methane are both small molecules, but have
very different chemical properties because of their H
chemistry. Methane (CH4) is a small hydrocarbon consisting
of four hydrogen atoms bound to a carbon atom (right).
Methane is non-polar and hydrogen bonds do not form H C H
between methane molecules. The molecules are much
more weakly held together compared to water molecules. H
Little energy is needed to force the molecules apart.
Property Methane Water The bonds water forms
with other water molecules
20ressaw_sednehcoK
Formula CH4 H2O requires a lot of energy to
Melting point –182°C 0°C break. This is why water
has a much higher boiling
Boiling point –160°C 100°C point than methane.

1. The diagram at the top of the page shows a positive sodium ion and a negative chloride ion surrounded by water
molecules. On the diagram, draw on the charge of the water molecules.
2. Explain the formation of hydrogen bonds between water and other polar molecules:

3. Why does methane have a much lower melting point and boiling point than water?

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