The cool properties of water Water Clip

Important Properties of Water Universal Solvent Unique Physical State High Heat Capacity Surface Tension Density

Universal Solvent Solvent- capable of dissolving another substance. “Universal” because of its polarity: charged ends of the water molecules are attracted to the charges on other molecules. Enables water to carry essential nutrients in living organisms

Unique Physical State Water molecules are the only substance on Earth that exist in all three physical states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Heat Capacity Specific heat is the amount of energy required to change the temperature of a substance Water has a high heat capacity can absorb large amounts of heat energy before it begins to get hot. Water's high specific heat allows for the moderation of the Earth's climate and helps organisms regulate their body temperature more effectively FYI: Water has the second highest specific heat capacity of all known substances. (Ammonia has the highest specific heat.)

Surface Tension Highest surface tension of all common liquids. Because water is polar it is “sticky”. Molecules of water want to stick to themselves. Property causes water to stick to the sides of vertical structures despite gravity's downward pull. (adhesion) allows for the formation of water droplets and waves (cohesion) allows plants to move water (and dissolved nutrients) from their roots to their leaves (capillary action-adhesion) and the movement of blood through tiny vessels in the bodies of some animals (adhesion).

Density Water is the only substance on this planet where the maximum density of its mass does not occur when it becomes solidified.