Biology and Geology.Teoría,
actividades y prácticas de laboratorio. 1º ESO Programa SELE • María
del Mar Vera Sánchez
Contents and activities
UNIT 5. The hydrosphere
5.1. PROPERTIES OF WATER
Water is a substance with unique PROPERTIES that takes part in many processes on our planet’s surface and it is essential for living things.
| PROPERTIES | PROCESSES ON THE SURFACE | PROCESSES IN LIVING THINGS |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent solvent | It dissolves substances of the Earth's crust that can be washed into the ocean. | Many substances are carried by water inside organisms. It is the main component of blood, urine, sweat… |
| Heat capacity | The oceans absorb heat in summer and release it slowly in winter. | It prevents large variations of temperature. |
| Anomalous expansion | It expands when it freezes, so rocks are broken when liquid water in a crack becomes solid. | Ice is less dense than liquid water. The layer of ice acts as a barrier that allows the survival of the living things that live under it. |
| Cohesion/adhesion | Water molecules attract each other and they are also able to adhere to most surfaces and wet them. | Due to the process of capillary action, water rises through the conducting vessels in plants. |
