Topic 2.

2
Water
Nature of science

Use theories to explain natural phenomena — the theory

that hydrogen bonds form between water molecules
explains the properties of water. (2.2)
water
formula: H2O
chemical bond: covalent bonds (pair of electrons) between H
and O (shared electrons)

hydrogen electrons pair of electrons

oxygen electrons
The water molecule is a dipole (has two
poles)
Oxygen attracts shared
electrons more strongly
than hydrogen. This
results in the oxygen
atom having a slightly

dipole
more negative charge
(partial charge), while
the hydrogen atoms are
slightly positively
charged.
Water molecules are polar and hydrogen bonds form
between them.
Substances can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic.

hydrophilic – all polar substances

hydrophobic – all non-polar substances

Hydrogen bonds are attractive forces between parts of
molecules that have opposite partial charges.
These are often found between oxygen and hydrogen or,
sometimes, nitrogen and hydrogen.
Hydrogen bond are particularly strong in water and are
responsible for many if its unique properties
ice: many
hydrogen bonds
vapour: no
hydrogen bonds

water: few
hydrogen bonds
properties of water (& benefits to living organisms)
cohesive properties (surface tension and the ability to resist
cavitation – the rupturing of the transpiration flow in the
xylem)
adhesive properties (capillary forces in xylem vessels)
thermal properties (transport medium for heat: blood and ocean
currents, coolant: high latent heat of evaporation)
solvent properties (transport medium* for dissolved polar
molecules & ions and dissolved gasses)

* good transport of glucose, amino acids, oxygen and sodium

chloride, but limited transport of cholesterol & fats in blood
thermal properties of water and methane

water methane
Formula H2O CH4
Molar mass 18 gmol-1 16 gmol-1
Latent heat of
2260 kJkg-1 510 kJkg-1
evaporation
Specific heat
4.2 Jg-1K-1 2.3 Jg-1K-1
capacity (approx.)
Melting point 0 °C -182 °C
Boiling point 100 °C -161 °C

similar molar masses, but hugely different physical properties

due to hydrogen bond formation in water.