WATER (H2O)

 Water is an essential molecule for life on Earth. It is a polar molecule that

consists of 2 hydrogen atoms bound by covalent bonds to an oxygen atom
 The principle of covalent bonding consists of sharing of electrons between
atoms. It is this bonding gives water its most important characteristic for
living organisms: being polar.
 This polarity arises as water has a slightly positively charged pole where
the hydrogen atoms are located and a slightly negatively charged pole
where the oxygen atom is located as shown below .

-

H H
+ +
 HYDROGEN BONDING IN WATER
 An intermolecular bond can form between the positive pole of one water molecule and the
negative pole of another. This is called a hydrogen bond.
 In liquid water many of these bonds form, giving water properties that make it a very useful
substance for living organisms.
 As with any chemical bond, energy is released when a hydrogen bond is made and used
when a hydrogen bond is broken. For example, when a water molecule evaporates, hydrogen
bonds between it and other water molecules must be broken.
 Heat energy is used to do this, explaining the use of sweat as a coolant, evaporation of water
from sweat removes heat from the body. Covalent
 bond
Properties of Water to Support Life
THERMAL PROPERTIES OF METHANE AND WATER COMPARED
Surface Tension