Question 1

Which property of water allows a spider to walk across the surface of a pond without sinking?

Accepted Answer

Surface tension due to hydrogen bonding

Question 2

Why does ice float in liquid water, and why is this important for aquatic life?

Accepted Answer

Stable hydrogen bonds in ice keep water molecules farther apart, making ice less dense than liquid water.

Question 3

Which equation correctly represents the dissociation of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in water?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{HCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}^+ + \mathrm{Cl}^-$$

Question 4

A solution in which water is the solvent is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

Aqueous solution

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds must be broken for water to change temperature, requiring more energy.

Question 6

What is the effect of adding a base such as NaOH to pure water?

Accepted Answer

The concentration of $$\mathrm{OH}^-$$ increases and pH increases.

Question 7

Which emergent property of water is most directly responsible for its ability to dissolve salts like NaCl?

Accepted Answer

Universal solvent property due to polarity

Question 8

Which of the following statements about buffers is correct?

Accepted Answer

Buffers maintain a consistent pH when acids or bases are added.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT an emergent property of water?

Accepted Answer

High density of ice compared to liquid water

Question 10

What is the charge of a solute molecule surrounded by water molecules with their oxygen atoms facing inward?

Accepted Answer

Positively charged

Question 11

Which of the following effects can occur because of the high surface tension of water?

Accepted Answer

A spider can walk across the surface of a small pond.

Question 12

Which of the following defines the term evaporation?

Accepted Answer

The conversion of a liquid into a vapor.

Question 13

Which equation represents the relationship between pH and hydrogen ion concentration?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{pH} = -\log_{10} [\mathrm{H}^+]$$

Question 14

In a neutral solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions ($$\mathrm{H}^+) is$$:

Accepted Answer

Equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions ($$\mathrm{OH}^-)$$

Question 15

Which of the following best describes hydrophobic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Are nonpolar water 'fearing' molecules

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

High specific heat

Question 17

Which of the following reactions is most consistent with that of a base?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the bicarbonate buffer system in blood is correct?

Accepted Answer

It can both accept and donate $$\mathrm{H}^+$$ ions to resist changes in pH.

Question 19

Which property of water explains why sweat cools the body when it evaporates?

Accepted Answer

High heat of vaporization

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Buffers donate $$\mathrm{H}^+$$ when depleted and accept $$\mathrm{H}^+$$ when in excess.

Properties of Water: Structure, Behavior, and Chemical Significance

Study Guide - Practice Questions