The water molecule

• It is polar molecule; it has a “+” and “-” end. This polarity has
large impact on properties of water.
• Its two hydrogen atoms are joined to one oxygen atom by
single covalent bonds
• The structure of water:

Covalent bond
 Properties of water
1. Water the Universal Solvent:
• Water the “universal solvent” because water can dissolve more substances
than any other liquid.
• Ions and hydrophilic solutes dissolve easily in water.

2. Hydrogen bonding: caused by the

oxygen end (-) attracted to the hydrogen

end (+) of another H2O

3. Surface Tension:
Because of the relatively high attraction of water molecules to each other
through hydrogen bonds, water has a higher surface tension (72.8 mN/m at
room temp.) than most other liquids. Surface tension is an important factor in
the phenomenon of capillarity.
4. Water is Sticky

• Cohesion— hepls H2O rise against gravity from roots to leaves in plant.

• Adhesion—Water molecules stick to other substances.

5. Specific Heat-- Water has a high specific heat. The amount of energy
required to raise the temperature of water by one degree Celsius is quite
large. Because so much heat loss or heat input is required to lower or raise
the temperature of water, the oceans and other large bodies of water have
relatively constant temperatures.
6. Heat of Vaporization-- Water has a high heat of vaporization. Water
absorbs heat as it changes from a liquid to a gas; the human body can
dissipate excess heat by the evaporation of its sweat.

7. Boiling and Freezing-- Pure water at sea level boils at 1000C and freezes at
00C.

8. Water density-- Water is most dense at 40C. Ice less dense than water
causing it to float.

9. pH-- Water molecules have a tendency to ionize. They dissociate into ions
(charged particles) hydrogen ions (H+ ) and hydroxide ions (OH- ).