Water

Question 1

Structure of water

Answer 1

• dipolar molecule

- unevenly distributed charge

Question 2

Why is the charge unevenly distributed in water?

Answer 2

Because the oxygen atom is slightly negative and the hydrogen atoms are slightly positive

Question 3

What are the 5 properties of water?

Answer 3

• metabolite
• solvent
• high specific heat capacity
• high latent heat of vaporisation
• strong cohesion

Question 4

Why is water a good metabolite?

Answer 4

Because it’s involved in and helps in many different reactions like photosynthesis, hydrolysis and condensation

Question 5

Why is water a good solvent?

Answer 5

Because it can dissolve many substances due to being dipolar

It can transport a lot of polar substances easily to cells

Question 6

Why is having a high specific heat capacity useful in water?

Answer 6

• a lot of energy is required to raise the temperature due to a lot of hydrogen bonds between molecules
• useful because the temperature of water remains relatively stable

Question 7

Why is having a large latent heat of vaporisation advantageous?

Answer 7

• a lot of energy required to convert water from a liquid to a solid due to hydrogen bonds
• advantageous since it produces a cooling effect like when humans sweat

Question 8

Why is strong cohesion useful in water?

Answer 8

• water molecules stick together due to hydrogen bonds
• means water can move up the xylem as a continuous column of water
• provides surface tension