The Miracle Molecule

ByYvonne Kelley

Water is an amazing molecule

Water covers 70% of our planet and all of life depends on it

Water makes up to 60% of our body and we need it to survive

We use water everyday for drinking, cleaning, cooking, and doing science!!

What makes water special? Water molecules are made up of two

hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atoms A water molecule's chemical equation is:

H2O

Due to oxygen's two unshared pairs of electrons, water molecules are polar

What does polar mean? Polar means one

end has a positive charge and one end has a negative charge

Let's make

our own water

molecules!!

Water Molecule Activity Everyone take one large popcorn ball,

two small popcorn balls and two toothpicks

Construct a water molecule Remember one side will be negative

and one side will be positive Hint: Who is the most famous

mouse?

Water Molecule

Hydrogen bonding Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with

each other due to their polar nature

Simulate how you think hydrogen bonding works using your water molecule with your neighbors.

Liquid and Solid

Hydrogen bonding

These hydrogen bonds give water many of their unique features including:

Being a universal solvent Water naturally occurs in all three

phases of matter on our planet High boiling point & low freezing

point Strong surface tension

Surface Tension Water particles are attracted to each

other in all directions, making them "stick" together

However, because there are no water particles above them, the water particles at the surface "stick" only to particles next to and below them. This makes the surface act as if it had a thin "skin"

This is called surface tension

Surface Tension

Let's check it out!! Get into groups of four and have one person

from each group gather supplies from the front of the class

Fill cups halfway with water

Try to float a paper clip on the surface of the water

Tip: Use a small piece of paper towel to help you if you need it. Place the paper towel on the water's surface and then place the paper clip on top of the paper towel.

Let's Review! A water molecule is made from two

hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Water is a polar molecule Hydrogen bonding between the water

molecules is what gives water its unique properties

Sources http://www.biology.arizona.edu

/biochemistry/tutorials/chemistry/page3.html

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterproperties.html

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/floatingpaperclips.html