AS Biology water and its properties for all

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  • water is a polar molecule because the oxygen atoms are negative and the hydrogens are positive - it is also known as a Dipole because it has two opposite charges on it these charges are only slight ( and this is shown by the symbol delta from the greek alphabet)
  • the charges come about because the oxygen atom has more pull on the electrons so they are more attracted to the oxygen which is now negative and the hydrogens more positive - think of it has unfair sharing 
  • these charges cause hydrogen bonds(O-H) to be formed which are weakish but explain lots of properties of water  this feature of water is called cohesion and when water is attracted to other charged surfaces it will form drops ( for example on a leaf) when it is not water molecule to water molecule this is called adhesion and explains why water forms a meniscus in a measuring cylinder ( the curved shape at the top of the water  it is never straight as it clings on to the sides of the cylinder)

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GRASP AND WILL AID YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WATER LOTS !!

High surface tension 

  • due to the formation of lots of hydrogen bonds at the top of the water it forms a form of skin or and area which is strong if you have ever put droops of…

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