Name: __________________________________________________
Date: ___________________
Properties of Water Worksheet
Identify the following descriptions as either adhesion (A) or cohesion (C).
_____ 1. Water molecules sticking to a mirror’s surface.
_____ 2. Water molecules forms a bead on a surface from sticking to one another.
_____ 3. Water molecules are attracted to other water molecules.
_____ 4. Water molecules are attracted to different types of molecules.
_____ 5. The water doesn’t drip off the pine needle because water is attracted to the needle’s surface.
_____ 6.
_____ 7.
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
6. Why is water so highly cohesive? Be detailed and specific.
7. What is capillary action and when does it occur?
8. What two forces limit the height to which capillary action will take water up a tube?
9. What is a solvent?
10. Why is water called “the universal solvent” and why is this important for living things?
11. What physical properties of water cause it to be such a good solvent?
12. Describe in detail why salt dissolves in water.
13. Draw how water molecules would be arranged around the sodium and chloride ions below.
Na+1
Cl-1
14. Describe how the arrangement of solid water molecules in ice causes it to be less dense than liquid
water.
15. Why is it important for living things that ice is less dense than water?
16. What is meant by the phrase specific heat capacity? What is the value for the specific heat capacity
of water (the unit should be J/g °C)?
17. Why does a needle left out in the sun get so much hotter than a bucket of water left out in the sun?
18. Surface tension is often described as “skin” on the surface of water. Why is it described in this
way?
19. Why do the molecules at the surface of water exhibit a stronger attraction inwards
compared to those not at the surface?
20. Look at the picture to the right. What phenomenon/characteristic of water is being
illustrated? Explain your answer.