Water is a colorless, transparent and odorless liquid that exists in all three states of matter. It plays three major roles as the: a) universal solvent, b) reactant molecule, and d) temperature stabilizer. Water is created when Hydrogen and Oxygen undergoes synthesis reaction as 2H2 + O2 2H¬2¬O. In the process, an oxygen atom is covalently bonded to the two hydrogen atoms forming a non-linear molecular shape of water. According to the Valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, the two lone pairs of oxygen exerts extra repulsion on the two hydrogen atoms that are covalently bonded to the oxygen, which creates a bent structure of 104o angle (refer to Figure 1.1).
This bent shape of the molecule and the electronegative charge of …show more content…
Such charges renders water a polar property and enables it to be a universal solvent. Water can dissolve many polar and ionic compounds through the formation of intermolecular forces and hydrogen bonds either by dipole-dipole attraction or ion-dipole attraction, respectively. In dipole-dipole attraction, the negative charge of the oxygen atom attracts nearby hydrogen atoms from other water or positively-charged regions of other molecules. The slightly positive hydrogen side of each water molecule attracts other negatively-charged oxygen atoms of other molecules leading to extensive hydrogen bond formation. Similar procedure occurs in ion-dipole attraction the opposite charges of H¬2O and ion attracts to each other and equally distributes the ion within the solution. The dipole-dipole attractions give H¬2O amazing cohesion and adhesion properties.
In general its polarity and the possibility of hydrogen bonding renders water many of its physical properties including higher melting point, boiling point and viscosity; and also enables water to support many life forms. Water makes up 72% of the earth’s surface and it is vital for millions of complex lifeforms on earth. It comprises about 70-85% of the human body , . Cohesion of water
This bent shape of the molecule and the electronegative charge of …show more content…
Such charges renders water a polar property and enables it to be a universal solvent. Water can dissolve many polar and ionic compounds through the formation of intermolecular forces and hydrogen bonds either by dipole-dipole attraction or ion-dipole attraction, respectively. In dipole-dipole attraction, the negative charge of the oxygen atom attracts nearby hydrogen atoms from other water or positively-charged regions of other molecules. The slightly positive hydrogen side of each water molecule attracts other negatively-charged oxygen atoms of other molecules leading to extensive hydrogen bond formation. Similar procedure occurs in ion-dipole attraction the opposite charges of H¬2O and ion attracts to each other and equally distributes the ion within the solution. The dipole-dipole attractions give H¬2O amazing cohesion and adhesion properties.
In general its polarity and the possibility of hydrogen bonding renders water many of its physical properties including higher melting point, boiling point and viscosity; and also enables water to support many life forms. Water makes up 72% of the earth’s surface and it is vital for millions of complex lifeforms on earth. It comprises about 70-85% of the human body , . Cohesion of water