Water:  a polar solvent

The polar nature of H₂O gives it special properties:

• cohesion:  the molecules stick together, producing high surface tension, capillary action
• adhesion:  the molecules stick to other materials, causing wetting of surfaces
• heat capacity, (the amount of heat required to raise the temperature by a given amount) is among the highest in nature
• expansion on freezing, causes ice to float
• high latent heat:
• of fusion (solidification to ice):  80 cal/g
• of evaporation:  highest of any substance:    585 cal/g

Water can absorb a lot of heat.



Last modified: March 2010
Department of Oceanography
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