Question

Explain the 5 properties of water and a brief description of each. I just need to understand everything...

Answer 1

A guess...
Liquid, density 1000kg/m^3, high latent heat of vaporisation - 4,200 J/kg, freeezing point at STP 0 degrees celsius, boiling point 100 deg C. Has a maximium density at about 4 degrees celsius.
makes very good, lethal, icebergs.
sea water is a conductor of electricity through the salt = NaCl = ions.
water allows things to float in it.
Other than that, i didn't actually KNOW that water had "5 properties" ...
http://perendis.webs.com

Answer 2

1) Water is a universal solvent - this allows chemical reactions for example inside cells to take place. It becomes a medium. It can also be a transport medium for example in blood, lymphatic system, xylem and phloem (Note that solvent means it can dissolve solutes, in this case this might mean dissolving solid substances or substances which may not otherwise react)

2) Extremely high surface tension - this makes for habitats for animals that walk on water - for example pond skaters

3) High cohesive/adhesive properties - cohesion refers to attraction between the water molecules, whilst adhesion refers to the attraction of water molecules to other surfaces. This allows for capillary action, which we seen in plants for example in the transpiration stream. The adhesion is also the cause for why water forms a meniscus in glass tubes - the water molecules adhere to the sides of the tube).

4) Ice is less dense than water - d = m/v If you took for example the same mass of water and then decided to freeze it, the water molecules, due to their slight polarity will arrange in such a way that it forms a crystal lattice with hydrogen bonding, and in this lattice there are air spaces between the molecules, while in liquid water, the molecules are kind of like: with each other, so there is kind of less space between them, a lack of regular separation if you like, which is why ice is less dense than water, because it takes up a greater VOLUME. If you have ever frozen a water bottle on a hot day, you will find that sometimes the plastic will expand because the water inside which was once a perfect fit for the bottle has expanded.

Ice floats on water, so that in the winter, when the lake surfaces freeze up, the ecosystem underneath experiences insulation from the ice. It can also act as a habitat for polar animals such as the polar bear.

5) High Specific heat capacity - Important coolant - why we sweat. This means the energy needed to raise the temperature of the water by 1ºC. This also allows for aquatic environments to have a more stable temperature, and experience less fluctuations in temperature. This also means that enzymes can work properly, and are at less risk of denaturing.

6) High latent heat vaporisation - This means a high amount of energy is needed to get water to change states from a liquid to a gas - important as a coolant when we sweat, again!

7) Metabolite (If you would like me to explain this one I would be happy to)

Otherwise, I hope that answered your question! Point 7 is more biochemistry-specific, and points 5&6 can be merged into one to get your 5 points ;)

Answer 3

@mangotangochick very nice answer !
Actually, good old water is just plain old unique and wonderful ?
I'm intrigued by (at least) 7. Metabolite sounds like metabolism which sounds a bit like "saline drip" and things. Water "helps" the body to metabolise things ? Which I guess means to ingest "stuff" and try to balance it with what's already in the body ?

Answer 4

Metabolite basically means it's involved in condensation & hydrolysis reactions :)

Answer 5

@mangotangochick do you happen to be a biologist ? If you are, I've posted a q which I'd like to get information on

Answer 6

I'm a student studying a-level biology, chem, maths and physics in the uk :)

Answer 7

and so, what do you make of my post ?

Answer 8

Heh, I answered them on my own, but thanks for the help.
Also, my apologies for replying so late. o3o