Learning Guide Module

Subject Code Chemistry 1

LG Code 6.0 Liquid State
Lesson Code 6.3 Structure and Properties of Water
Time Frame 30 minutes

Components TA ATA
Tasks
(min) (min)b
a

Target After completing this learning guide, students are expected to: 1
1. Explain the unique properties of water & its implications.
2. Reflect on the importance of these concepts in our lives.

Hook In our previous lesson, we have discussed the relationship of the 3

properties of liquids to the intermolecular forces of attraction such as boiling
point and melting point, viscosity, surface tension, adhesion and cohesion-
capillary, and vapor pressure.

The solid form of most of the substances is usually denser than the liquid
state. This is because the particles in the solid state are closely packed and the
intermolecular forces of attraction are stronger than the liquid state. This is
why a piece or a sample of most solid substances will sink when dropped in a
liquid or body of water.

Solid Liquid

Figure 1: Structures of solid and liquid particles .

Brown, T.L., LeMay, H.E., Bursten, B.E.,
Murphy, C.J., and Woodward, P.M. (2012)

Water is a common example of liquid. Would you expect it to be denser in

its solid form just like most of the liquid substances? Take a look at the
illustration shown below.

Ice

Figure 2: The ice cubes float in liquid water.

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 1 of 9

 Why does ice float in water?
Water in its solid form or state behaves differently.

The cubes of ice float in liquid water because ice (water in solid form) is
less dense that the liquid water. As water cools and freezes, the density of
water decreases due to the unique nature of hydrogen bonds. Water exhibits
strange or peculiar properties.

Figure 3. Liquid (left) and solid (right) states of water

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Liquid-water-
and-ice.png
Ignite A contrast between the solid and liquid structure of water. 16

In ice, the hydrogen bonds are holding the water molecules firmly but rather
open structure. The open structure of water in solid form gives ice a low
density (Petrucci, 2011, p.503).

When ice starts to melt, not all of the hydrogen bonds are broken as
indicated by its low heat of fusion (6.01 kJ/mol). The density of water in
liquid state is greater than in solid state. Meaning, there are greater number of
water molecules per unit volume in liquid than in solid.

The unique properties of water.

1. Cohesion/surface tension.
Have you tried floating a needle on water? Why does a needle which is made
of steel and is obviously denser than liquid water float? There must be
something in water that overcomes the force of gravity on the needle.

Figure 4: A needle floating on water.

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 2 of 9

 As defined in the previous lesson, surface tension is the energy needed to
increase the surface area of a liquid. Let us take a look at the surface
molecules and the interior molecules.

IInterior & surface

molecules

IInterior molecules

Figure 5: The interior molecules & surface molecules of water.

(https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/chemistry-of-
life/structure-of-water-and-hydrogen-bonding/a/cohesion-and-adhesion-
in-water)
The cohesive forces are the forces exerted between liquid molecules
holding them together just like a drop of water (see the interior molecules).
Water molecules are hydrogen bonded to one another and they are acting like
a link in a cohesive chain.
Surface tension is the liquid surface’s tendency to have the lowest surface
area. This happens when the attractive force is exerted upon the surface
molecules by the interior molecules (see the interior and the surface
molecules). The surface molecules do not have other molecules over them so
they adhere more strongly with the interior molecules near them. This forms a
thin filament which allows denser materials or insects like needle, water
striders and spiders to float and walk on water causing them to overcome the
force of gravity.

Figure 5: Water strider on water.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/build-a-water-strider

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 3 of 9

 2. High heat capacity.
Water has a very high capacity to absorb heat compared to other liquids with
only minimal temperature increase. That is why it takes longer time to boil
water and a longer time to cool down. The high heat capacity of water is
caused by the hydrogen bonding among molecules. When heat is being
absorbed by the water, the hydrogen bonds are broken allowing the water
molecules to move freely. Water is a good coolant. It is resistant to drastic
temperature changes making it an excellent habitat for some living creatures
and organisms. Due to its peculiar property, it also helps regulate the internal
body temperature.

Water is exceptionally
superior when it comes
to specific heat capacity.

3. Solvent properties
Solvent is a substance that can dissolve other molecules or compounds.
Water is called the universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances
compared to other solvents. Water is polar and forms hydrogen bonds with
oxygen making the hydrogen atom partially positive and the oxygen atom
partially negative. Water is excellent in dissolving many substances especially
polar and ionic compounds.

4. Dissociation: Acids & Bases/pH

The chemical bonds within the water molecules are stable but it is possible
for the water molecule to give up its hydrogen and become OH -, thus acts as a
base. It can also accept hydrogen and become H 3O+, thus acts as an acid.

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 4 of 9

 Water is very weakly acidic and basic, hence its effect to the pH of the
solution is negligible compared to other acidic and basic substances.

Supplementary material (Video):

You can watch the video presentation on the Structure and Properties of
Water by the Amoeba Sisters in YouTube using the link given below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jwAGWky98c

Navigate Let’s see what you’ve learned 8

Formative Assessment: (Non-graded)

1. Draw the general model of water in solid, liquid, and in gaseous states.
2. How is water different from the other liquids in terms of their properties &
structure?
3. Why is water essential to life? (Cite one real life situation)

Alternative Assessment (Graded) 20 points

Simple inquiry-based activities that can be done at home during your free
time or during the weekend. Your written observation and answers to the
questions maybe submitted a week later. A scoring rubric is provided for the
following activities.

1. A cup of water and coins. (5 points)

a. Fill a small cup with tap water or mineral water almost to the brim.
b. Slowly drop one coin at a time inside the glass of water until the water
rises and overflows.
c. Observe what the water looks like on the surface before it overflows.
d. Write down your observation.
e. What property/properties of water do you think is causing the behavior of
water in this activity?

2. Colored water and paper towel. (5 points)

a. Fill a glass of tap water about 3/4full.
b. If you have food color in the kitchen, or any coloring substance, put a
drop or two to make the water colored.
c. Have a dry paper towel or tissue paper ready.

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 5 of 9

 d. Slowly dip the dry paper towel into the colored water about one inch
from the surface. (Do not totally submerge the paper towel in the colored
water).
e. Watch closely what happens and write down your observation.
f. What property/properties of water do you think is causing the behavior of
water in this activity?

3. Acid, base, oil, and water. (5 points)

a. Prepare the following:
a.1 Put about 1/2 teaspoon powdered juice (acid) in a small cup or glass.
a.2 Put about 1/2 teaspoon baking soda or sodium bicarbonate (base) in
another small cup or glass.
a.3 Put about 1/2 teaspoon cooking oil in the third small cup or glass.
b. Add tap or mineral water into each of the 3 cups or glasses until half full.
c. Record your observation.
g. What property/properties of water do you think is causing the behavior of
water in this activity?

4. Heating an empty cup and a cup filled with water. (5 points)

a. Prepare two paper cups, stove, kitchen gloves, tongs or forceps to hold
the paper cup while heating, and goggles (if any).
b. Fill one of the paper cups with tap water about 3/4 full.
c. Heat the empty paper cup directly over a medium flame in the stove.
d. Write down your observation.
e. Heat the paper cup with 3/4 water directly over a medium flame in the
stove just like in letter c.
f. Write down your observation.
h. What property/properties of water do you think is causing the behavior of
water in this activity?

IMPORTANT!
Strictly observe safety practices when doing these activities at home.
➢ Use safety equipment like kitchen gloves, goggles, apron, face shield.
➢ For girls: Hair must be kept away from the face and tied.
➢ Have an adult watch over you while doing activities in the kitchen.
➢ Discard kitchen supplies after use properly (e.g. food color, oil, etc)
➢ Clean the area after performing the activities in this module.

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 6 of 9

 Student Scoring Rubric for Inquiry-Based Activity
Category Scor Description
e

No response 0 ✓ Either the activity is not attempted or the

work is incorrect, irrelevant, or off task.
Minimal 1 ✓ Unable to draw inferences (interpretation of
an observation)
✓ Correctly identified the property of water
which had caused the behavior of water in the
activity.
Partial 2 ✓ Draws inferences based on previously held
ideas.Failed to correctly identify the
property of water which had caused the
behavior of water in the activity.
Satisfactory 3 ✓ Draws inferences based on previously held
ideas.Correctly identified the property of
water which had caused the behavior of
water in the activity.
Very 4 ✓ Draws logical inferences. Failed to correctly
Satisfactory identify the property of water which had
caused the behavior of water in the activity.
Excellent 5 ✓ Draws logical inferences. Correctly identified
the property of water which had caused the
behavior of water in the activity.

For additional points, rate yourself about the amount of help or

assistance received in doing the inquiry-based activity using the rubric
below.
Category Scor Description
e
Minimal 1 The activity was done with 80%-90% help or
assistance from others.
Partial 2 The activity was done with 50%-79% help or
assistance from others.
Satisfactory 3 The activity was done with 30%-49% help or
assistance from others.
Very 4 The activity was done with 6%-29% help or
Satisfactory assistance from others.
Excellent 5 The activity was done independently or with 1-5%
help or assistance from others.
Name & Section: __________________________________________Score:
______
Name & Signature of Parent/Guardian:
_______________________________

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 7 of 9

 Knot In summary, 2

Water has unique properties and structure. In solid state, it is less dense than
in liquid state which is different from most substances. It is a very polar
molecule so it can bond to both anions and cations because of the attraction
between the partial charge on the atoms of the water molecules and the charge
on the ion. It has the capacity to dissolve many molecules and substances
especially the polar ones. It is an excellent coolant for it has a high specific
heat capacity. Water is essential to life and all living things and helps regulate
body temperature.
Can you imagine life without water? Life without water is difficult indeed.
Let us be good stewards of our natural resources. Use water wisely.

a TA – time allocation suggested by the teacher

b ATA- actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only)

References:
(For Discussion)
Brown, T.L., LeMay, H.E., Bursten, B.E., Murphy, C.J., and Woodward, P.M. (2012)
Chemistry: The Central Science, (12th Edition). Pearson Publishing Inc.
Petrucci, Ralph H., Herring, F. Geoffrey., Madura, Jeffrey D., Bissonnette, Carey, (2011)
General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications (10th Edition) Pearson Canada Inc.
Sargen, Molly. Science in the News. Blog, Special Edition: Biological Role of Water: Why is water
necessary for Life (Sept. 26, 2019). Retrieved from
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/uncategorized/2019/biological-roles-of-water-why-is-water-
necessary-for-life/

Silverberg, Martin S., (2006) Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change
(4th Edition) Mc Graw Hill Higher Education.
The Amoeba Sisters, Video on the Properties of Water in YouTube. Link copies from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jwAGWky98c

Wilbraham, Anthony C., Staley, Dennis D., Matta, Michael S., Waterman, Edward L. (2005)
Chemistry (4th Edition) Prentice-Hall Inc.
(For Pictures/images)
Finio, Ben PhD, Science Buddies. Build a Water Strider. . Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/build-a-water-strider

Chemistry 1 Structure and Properties of Water Page 8 of 9

Khan Academy. The Chemistry of Life. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-
biology/chemistry-of-life/structure-of-water-and-hydrogen-bonding/a/cohesion-and-adhesion-in-
water

Prepared by: Rosalie D. Buban Reviewed by: Lester D. Mendoza

Position: SST-III Position: SST-II

Campus: PSHS-CARC Campus: PSHS-Main Campus

© 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary information and may only be
released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents are not
subject to update notification.

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