15.1. Properties of Water http://www.ck12.org
- In its pure liquid form, water is a poor conductor of electricity. Unlike most substances, water is more dense
in its liquid state than its solid state. As a result, water expands when it freezes, and ice floats on water. - Compared to other liquids, water has a relatively high surface tension and heat capacity. Both of these
properties are partially a result of the strong hydrogen bonds that hold water molecules together.
Lesson Review Questions
- Why do you suppose a wet cloth that is hung outdoors in freezing weather can be retrieved later in a dry state?
- Identify the state(s) of water present at each of the points identified in theFigure15.8.
FIGURE 15.8
- When might you see condensation, evaporation, melting, or freezing as part of a normal weather pattern?
What evidence do you have that these changes have occurred? - Which of the processes illustrated inFigure15.1 do you suppose are responsible for the formation of hail
during a thunderstorm? - Give an example other than those mentioned in the chapter of the strong surface tension exhibited by water.
- How is it possible for water to fracture rock when it freezes?
- Based on the data in the table of "Heat Capacity," do substances that exhibit hydrogen bonding appear to have
larger or smaller heat capacities than other substances? - What do you suppose would happen if you placed an ice cube in a beaker containing pure ethanol (density =
0.789 g/mL)? Would it sink or float? - What do you suppose would happen if a solid piece of ethanol were placed into liquid ethanol? What about if
it were placed in liquid water?
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
- Libbrecht, K. (2006). Ken Libbrecht’s Field Guide to Snowflakes. St. Paul, MN: Voyager Press.
- Schulson, E. M. (1999). The Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Ice. JOM, 51(2), 21-27.