Question 1

Which property of water allows a spider to walk across the surface of a pond without sinking?

Accepted Answer

Surface tension due to hydrogen bonding

Question 2

Why does ice float in liquid water, and why is this important for aquatic life?

Accepted Answer

Stable hydrogen bonds in ice keep water molecules farther apart, making ice less dense than liquid water.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the process of evaporation?

Accepted Answer

The conversion of a liquid into a vapor

Question 4

A solution in which water is the solvent is called a(n) ________ solution.

Accepted Answer

Aqueous

Question 5

Which property of water is responsible for its ability to moderate temperature in organisms and the environment?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat

Question 6

What type of bond forms between individual water molecules, giving rise to many of water’s emergent properties?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an emergent property of water?

Accepted Answer

High density of ice compared to liquid water

Question 8

Which equation correctly represents the dissociation of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in water?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{HCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}^+ + \mathrm{Cl}^-$$

Question 9

Which of the following statements about buffers is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They maintain a consistent pH when acids or bases are added to them.

Question 10

Which property of water allows it to dissolve a wide variety of substances, making it the 'universal solvent'?

Accepted Answer

Water is polar and forms hydrogen bonds with solutes.

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why water has a high heat of vaporization?

Accepted Answer

Many hydrogen bonds must be broken for water to evaporate.

Question 12

Which of the following effects can occur because of the high surface tension of water?

Accepted Answer

A spider can walk across the surface of a small pond.

Question 13

Which of the following reactions is most consistent with that of a base?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{NaOH} \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}^+ + \mathrm{OH}^-$$

Question 14

In a neutral solution, the concentration of ________.

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen ions is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes hydrophobic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Are nonpolar water 'fearing' molecules.

Question 16

Which equation represents the relationship between pH and hydrogen ion concentration?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{pH} = -\log_{10} [\mathrm{H}^+]$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-life example of water’s high specific heat?

Accepted Answer

A lake heats up more slowly than the surrounding environment.

Question 18

What is the role of buffers in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Buffers resist changes in pH by both donating and accepting H+ ions as needed.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the pH scale is correct?

Accepted Answer

A neutral solution has a pH of 7.

Properties of Water: Structure, Behavior, and Importance in Chemistry

Study Guide - Practice Questions