Question 1

Which of the following best explains why ice floats on liquid water?

Accepted Answer

Ice is less dense than liquid water because water molecules form a rigid lattice that spaces them farther apart.

Question 2

A scientist adds salt to water and observes that it dissolves completely. Which property of water is most responsible for this observation?

Accepted Answer

Water's polarity, making it a universal solvent

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the six elements necessary for life?

Accepted Answer

Calcium (Ca)

Question 4

Which statement best describes a polar molecule?

Accepted Answer

It has an unequal distribution of electrical charge, resulting in positive and negative poles.

Question 5

What is the main reason water has a high specific heat?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules require more energy to break.

Question 6

Which property of water allows plants to transport water from their roots to their leaves?

Accepted Answer

Adhesion and capillary action

Question 7

A drop of water forms a bead on a spider web. Which property of water is primarily responsible for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion and surface tension

Question 8

Which of the following substances is most likely to be hydrophobic?

Accepted Answer

Oil

Question 9

Which equation correctly represents the chemical formula for water?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{H_2O}$$

Question 10

A graduated cylinder shows a meniscus at the surface of water. What causes this meniscus to form?

Accepted Answer

Adhesion between water and glass

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between a solute and a solvent?

Accepted Answer

A solute gets dissolved, while a solvent does the dissolving.

Question 12

Which property of water helps buffer large fluctuations in Earth's climate?

Accepted Answer

Water's high specific heat

Question 13

Which of the following molecules is nonpolar and does NOT dissolve in water?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{CO_2$}$$

Question 14

Why is water considered the 'universal solvent'?

Accepted Answer

Its polarity allows it to dissolve more substances than any other liquid.

Question 15

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of adhesion?

Accepted Answer

Water climbing up a paper towel dipped in a glass.

Question 16

Which of the following is the most basic unit of life?

Accepted Answer

Cell

Question 17

A student mixes oil and water in a beaker and observes that they do not mix. Which term best describes oil in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Hydrophobic

Question 18

Which property of water is most important for aquatic life surviving under frozen lakes?

Accepted Answer

Ice being less dense than liquid water

Question 19

Which of the following best describes surface tension in water?

Accepted Answer

It is a result of cohesion between water molecules at the surface.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a hydrophilic substance?

Accepted Answer

Salt

Chemistry of Life: Water and Its Properties

Study Guide - Practice Questions