Question

Give different properties of water.

Hint:

Water’s polarity and hydrogen bonding drive its unique properties, making it essential for life processes.

Answer 1

Water exhibits unique properties critical for life: 1. High specific heat: Absorbs large amounts of heat with minimal temperature change, stabilizing environmental and organismal temperatures. 2. Universal solvent: Polar nature dissolves many ionic and polar substances, facilitating biochemical reactions. 3. High surface tension: Due to hydrogen bonding, allows insects to walk on water and supports capillary action in plants. 4. Anomalous expansion: Density decreases below 4°C, so ice floats, insulating aquatic ecosystems. 5. High latent heat of vaporization: Requires significant energy to evaporate, aiding cooling via perspiration or transpiration. 6. Cohesive and adhesive properties: Cohesion (water molecules stick together) and adhesion (stick to other surfaces) enable capillary movement in plants.