Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT a property of water?
A
Water is an excellent solvent for many substances.
B
Water exhibits cohesion and adhesion.
C
Water has a high specific heat capacity.
D
Water is a nonpolar molecule.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the properties of water. Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom due to its molecular structure (H₂O). This polarity is key to many of its unique properties.
Step 2: Review the listed properties of water. Water is an excellent solvent because its polarity allows it to dissolve many substances, especially ionic compounds and polar molecules. This is known as the 'universal solvent' property.
Step 3: Understand cohesion and adhesion. Cohesion refers to water molecules sticking to each other due to hydrogen bonding, while adhesion refers to water molecules sticking to other surfaces. These properties are responsible for phenomena like capillary action.
Step 4: Examine water's high specific heat capacity. This means water can absorb a lot of heat without a significant change in temperature, which helps regulate temperatures in organisms and environments.
Step 5: Compare these properties to the statement 'Water is a nonpolar molecule.' Since water is polar, this statement is incorrect and does not describe a property of water. Therefore, it is the correct answer to the question.