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The Essential Role of Water: Properties and Impacts on Life

Water is a fundamental component of life on Earth, possessing unique properties that make it indispensable. Its transparency allows sunlight to penetrate, which is crucial for aquatic photosynthesis. The cohesion and adhesion of water molecules contribute to phenomena such as surface tension and capillary action. Its ability to stabilize temperatures and function as a universal solvent promotes a balanced environment for living organisms. Additionally, ice's lower density ensures that bodies of water do not freeze solid, allowing life to flourish even in harsh conditions.

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The Essential Role of Water: Properties and Impacts on Life

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  1. Water! Marine Science 2010

  2. Why Water is Your Friend… • Water has several properties which make life possible • Transparency • Cohesion & Adhesion • Temperature buffer • Solvent ability

  3. Covalent Bonds • In covalent bonds, atoms share electrons • Vs. ionic where electrons are stolen

  4. Unique Properties: Bonding • An H2O molecule consists of 2 H atoms and 1 O atom covalently bonded together. • Our Moon orbits Earth, simply because Earth has more mass, thus more gravitational pull. • Now, apply that same concept to H2O: All the electrons orbit oxygen since it has more mass.

  5. Polar Covalent Bonding

  6. Hydrogen Bonds • So, since the water molecule has a negative and a positive end, it is called a polar molecule. • Since opposite charges attract, water will also bond with itself. This is called a hydrogen bond

  7. Polarity Leads to More Unique Properties… • Cohesion • Adhesion • High Heat Capacity • Density • Solvent Ability

  8. Cohesion • Water’s tendency to stick to itself • Ex: surface tension

  9. Adhesion • Water’s tendency to stick to other materials • Ex: the meniscus • Ex: capillary action

  10. Heat Capacity • It takes a lot of energy to raise or lower the temp. of water • Water resists temperature change • Helps moderate climates • Allows organisms to maintain homeostasis

  11. H2O as a Temp Buffer • Water’s temp buffering effect causes the oceans to be a stable environment • Very important for the early evolution of life when conditions on land were severe and ever-changing

  12. Ice & Life • Ice is less dense than liquid water; it floats. • If it sank, lakes and oceans would freeze solid, and early life, existing totally within them, would have been extinguished.

  13. Ice Fishing • While not crucial to life, ice fishing is a recreation enjoyed by millions. • It can be dangerous, however, and should be attempted with great caution. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zf-a5AD7gM

  14. The Universal Solvent • Because of its polarity, water’s charged areas can pull apart ionic or polar compounds

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