Question 1

Which property of water is most directly responsible for moderating Earth's climate?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat

Question 2

A covalent bond in which electrons are shared unequally is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A polar covalent bond

Question 3

Which change would most likely disrupt hydrogen bonding between water molecules?

Accepted Answer

Adding a large quantity of heat

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why water and oil do not mix?

Accepted Answer

Oil is nonpolar and cannot form hydrogen bonds with water

Question 5

If a molecule of ethane ($$C_2H_6) is $$compared to $$H_2$$, it has how many times more hydrogen ions?

Accepted Answer

6

Question 6

Which property of water allows it to move upward through the vessels of a plant against gravity?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion and adhesion

Question 7

Which of the following is a real-world example of water's high heat of vaporization?

Accepted Answer

Sweating cools the human body as water evaporates from the skin

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds keep water molecules farther apart in ice

Question 9

A solution with a pH of 4 has how many times more hydrogen ions than a solution with a pH of 7?

Accepted Answer

1,000

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of water acting as a solvent in a biological system?

Accepted Answer

Salt dissolving in blood plasma

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why sweating is an effective cooling mechanism for humans?

Accepted Answer

Evaporation of water requires absorption of heat energy from the body

Question 12

Which of the following is a consequence if hydrogen bonding in water were disrupted?

Accepted Answer

Water would lose its high surface tension

Question 13

Which property of water is most important for maintaining temperature stability in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Buffers minimize changes in pH

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of adhesion in plants?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules sticking to the walls of xylem vessels

Study Notes: Chemical Context of Life & Water and Life (Chapters 2 & 3, Campbell Biology)

Study Guide - Practice Questions