Question 1

Which property of water allows insects such as water striders to walk on the surface of a pond without sinking?

Accepted Answer

Surface tension due to hydrogen bonding

Question 2

Why does ice float on liquid water?

Accepted Answer

Ice has a lower density than liquid water because its hydrogen bonds form a lattice structure.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules require more energy to break.

Question 4

A student adds NaOH to pure water. Which equation best represents the chemical change that occurs?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Which of the following is an emergent property of water that is essential for life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Water has a high heat of vaporization.

Question 6

Which statement best describes the role of buffers in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Buffers minimize changes in pH by accepting or donating H$$^+$$ ions.

Question 7

A solution with a pH of 3 has a hydrogen ion concentration that is:

Accepted Answer

100 times greater than a solution with pH 5

Question 8

Which of the following molecules would be most likely to dissolve in water?

Accepted Answer

A polar molecule such as glucose

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the difference between cohesion and adhesion in water?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion is water molecules sticking to each other; adhesion is water molecules sticking to other substances.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about acids and bases is correct?

Accepted Answer

Bases decrease the concentration of H$$^+$$ ions in solution.

Question 11

Which property of water is most important for the transport of nutrients in plants from roots to leaves?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion and adhesion

Question 12

A buffer system in blood involves the following equilibrium: $$\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{CO}_3 \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{HCO}_3^- + \mathrm{H}^+. $$What happens if acid is added to the blood?

Accepted Answer

The equilibrium shifts to produce more $$\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{CO}_3.$$

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why water is called the 'universal solvent'?

Accepted Answer

Water can dissolve many polar and ionic substances due to its polarity.

Question 14

Which of the following is true about the pH scale?

Accepted Answer

A solution with pH 7 is neutral.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about hydrophobic molecules is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are nonpolar and do not dissolve in water.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the process of evaporation in terms of molecular motion?

Accepted Answer

Molecules gain enough kinetic energy to escape from the liquid phase into the gas phase.

Question 17

A solution is prepared by dissolving table salt (NaCl) in water. Which type of solution is formed?

Accepted Answer

A homogeneous solution

Question 18

Which of the following is a direct result of water's ability to form hydrogen bonds?

Accepted Answer

Water has a high heat of vaporization.

Question 19

Which of the following would most likely occur if the pH of human blood dropped significantly below 7.4?

Accepted Answer

Buffer systems would work to remove excess H$$^+$$ ions.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why lakes and oceans resist rapid temperature changes?

Accepted Answer

Water has a high specific heat due to hydrogen bonding.

Water: Properties, Acids & Bases, and pH in Organic Chemistry

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