QHSSYC
AP Biology
Fall, 2014
Alexander Micic
The Properties of Water
1.
With the use of a diagram or diagrams, explain why water molecules are:
a.
polar
b.
capable of hydrogen bonding with four neighboring water molecules
2.
List four characteristics of water that are emergent properties resulting from hydrogen bonding.
One emergent property is waters cohesive behavior, which is caused because the molecules are linked
by multiple hydrogen bonds, which makes water more structured than most other liquids. The hydrogen
bonds hold water together, called cohesion. Another property is the ability to moderate temperature,
which it can do by absorbing heat from air that is warmer and releasing stored heat to air that is cooler.
Water is a good heat bank because it can absorb or release a large amount of heat with only a slight
change in temperature. Another property is waters expansion upon freezing, meaning that ice is less
dense than water, so it can float on water. The fourth property is waters versatility as a solvent,
meaning that water can dissolve more solutes than almost any other liquid, making a wide range of
aqueous solutions possible.
3.
Define cohesion and adhesion. Explain how waters cohesion and adhesion contribute to the
movement of water from the roots to the leaves of a tree.
Cohesion is a phenomenon where hydrogen bonds hold water together. Adhesion is the clinging of one
substance to another. Adhesion allows the water to stick to the tree and cohesion enables water to
travel up the roots.
QHSSYC
AP Biology
4.
Fall, 2014
Alexander Micic
Distinguish between heat and temperature, using examples to clarify your definitions.
Heat is a form of energy while temperature is a measurement of heat intensity that represents the
average kinetic energy of the molecules. For example, a swimming pool that is 20C is at a lower
temperature than a cup of tea this is 70C, but the swimming pool contains more heat due to the fact
that there is more water within the pool.
5.
Explain the following observations by referring to the properties of water:
a. Coastal areas have milder climates than adjacent inland areas.
Water has a higher specific heat, which means coastal areas will have stable temperatures
since water will stabilize temperatures by absorbing heat from the air.
b.
Ocean temperatures fluctuate much less than air temperatures on land.
Coastal areas will have stable temperatures because water will stabilize temperatures by
absorbing heat from the air.
c.
Insects like water striders can walk on the surface of a pond without breaking the
surface.
Water has a high surface tension resulting from the collective strength of its hydrogen
bonds, allowing the strider to walk on the surface of water.
d. If you slightly overfill a water glass, the water will form a convex surface above the top
of the glass.
The convex will form because cohesion makes the water stick to each other.
e. If you place a paper towel so that it touches spilled water, the towel will draw in the
water.
The water will be absorbed due to capillary action, which is the ability for a liquid to flow in
a narrow space without the assistance of or against gravity.
f.
Ice floats on water.
Ice has a smaller density than water, so ice can float on water.
g. Humans sweat and dogs pant to cool themselves on hot days.
Humans and dogs do these actions due to waters high heat of vaporization.
6.
Distinguish among a solute, a solvent, and a solution.
A solute is the substance that is dissolved, a solvent is the dissolving agent in a solution, and a solution
is a completely homogenous mixture of two or more substances.
QHSSYC
AP Biology
7.
Fall, 2014
Alexander Micic
Distinguish between hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances.
A hydrophobic substance is a substance with an aversion to water that tends to coalesce and form
droplets in water. Hydrophilic substances are substances that have an affinity for water, and substances
can be hydrophilic without actually dissolving.
The Dissociation of Water Molecules
9.
Name the products of the dissociation of water and give their concentration in pure water.
2H20 -> H30+ + OHThe products are a hydronium ion and a hydroxide ion. 1/554 million molecules are dissociated.
10.
Define acid, base, and pH.
An acid is a substance that increases the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution. A base is a substance
that reduces the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution. pH is a measure of acidity or basicity of an
aqueous solution.
11.
Explain how acids and bases may directly or indirectly alter the hydrogen ion concentration of a
solution.
An acid may increase the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution while a base my decrease the
hydrogen ion concentration.
12.
Using the bicarbonate buffer system as an example, explain how buffers work.
Buffers are substances that minimize changes in the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions
in a solution. In the bicarbonate buffer system the chemical equilibrium between carbonic acid and
bicarbonate act as a pH regulator. If the pH rises in blood due to a decrease in H+ concentration, more
carbonic acid dissociates, replenishing these hydrogen ions.
13.
Briefly explain the causes and effects of acid precipitation.
A primary cause of acid precipitation is due to the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the air
during the burning of coal in order to create energy. Due to wind, these acids spread out over a wide
area, creating rain, smog, or snow with a greater acidity than 5.6. Acid precipitation can cause harm to
fish and plant life by raising the acidity in water/soil and disrupting an ecosystem that was previously
balanced.
