Water is crucial to all life due to its unique molecular structure and properties. It is a polar molecule composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom held together by covalent bonds. This polar structure allows water to have special properties like cohesion, adhesion, and being a universal solvent which enable its many vital functions in living things like transporting nutrients, regulating temperature, and serving as a reaction medium for biochemical processes.

1. Water..Water..Everywhere...
The molecule crucial to all life

2. PROJECT
What are the properties of water that make it so crucial to all
living things??
DATE DATE CLIENT
NAME

3. Every cell in
your body...
is 70-90 percent water...

4. 2 HYDROGEN ATOMS
Water
Molecules
What do you observe?
ALL HELD TOGETHER
BY COVALENT BONDS
ONE OXYGEN ATOM

5. Water has
several special
properties that
make it so
important to
all living
things

7. Water is a
Polar
Molecule
The poles, or ends of the
molecule, have weak
opposing charges.

8. Water’s Polar Nature Causes
Cohesion & Adhesion
Cohesion - Similar forces
attracted
Adhesion - Opposite
forces attracted

9. It also
makes it a
great solvent
Actually, it is the “universal
solvent”

10. Water has
surface
tension
Hydrogen bonding and
cohesive forces cause water
molecules to “stick” to each
other

11. How does
water get from
the roots of
tall trees like
redwoods to
the very top
leaves?

13. Capillary
Action
The ability of water to move
against the force of gravity,
using the properties of
adhesion and cohesion

14. WHAT DOES THESE TWO IMAGES HAVE TO
DO WITH THE PROPERTIES OF WATER?

15. Water also
has a high
specific heat
capacity
This means it takes a lot of energy to heat
it, or to cool it off
This energy is actually necessary to break
the hydrogen bonds

16. How does
this relate to
your body in
terms of
temperature?