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16/12/2025
Biology
Properties of water a level biology
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16 Dec 2025
•
Water Properties in OCR A Level Biology
M
@iamjungkook
1 / 3
Water's Special Structure
Think of water as a tiny magnet with a positive and negative end – that's what makes it a polar molecule. This polarity creates hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which are like weak sticky forces that hold them together.
These hydrogen bonds cause cohesion, meaning water molecules literally stick to each other. You've seen this in action when water forms droplets or creates that invisible "skin" on a pond's surface – that's surface tension at work.
This stickiness is so strong that water can flow as one continuous mass. That's how plants can pull water all the way up from their roots to their leaves, even in tall trees! The water molecules hold hands and travel together against gravity.
Adhesion is when water sticks to other materials, sometimes even more strongly than to itself. Combined with cohesion, this creates capillary action – water's ability to climb up narrow spaces like the inside of a straw, even without you sucking on it.
Quick Tip: Remember the difference – cohesion is water loving water, adhesion is water loving other things!
Temperature Control Master
Water is brilliant at keeping temperatures stable, and it's all thanks to those hydrogen bonds again. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it takes loads of energy to heat it up or cool it down by just 1°C.
This is a game-changer for living things. Your cells can absorb heat without your body temperature shooting up dangerously. It's like having a built-in temperature buffer that keeps everything running smoothly.
For aquatic life, this property is absolutely vital. Oceans and lakes absorb heat from the sun during the day and release it slowly at night, creating stable environments where marine creatures can thrive. Without this, water temperatures would swing wildly, making life impossible.
Water is also incompressible – you can't squeeze it into a smaller space no matter how hard you try. Those hydrogen bonds maintain their distance, giving water a low viscosity that helps it flow easily and transfer heat efficiently around your body.
Remember: Water's temperature stability is why Earth's climate is suitable for life – it's our planet's natural thermostat!
The Ultimate Solvent
Water's latent heat capacity is incredibly high, meaning it takes massive amounts of energy to turn liquid water into vapour. This makes sweating such an effective cooling system – when sweat evaporates, it carries away loads of heat energy while only losing small amounts of water.
Being polar makes water the "universal solvent" – it can dissolve more substances than almost any other liquid. When you add salt to water, the positive parts of water molecules surround negative chloride ions, whilst the negative parts surround positive sodium ions. This breaks apart the salt crystals completely.
This dissolving power is crucial for life. Your blood can transport nutrients, hormones, and waste products because they're all dissolved in water. Cells can regulate their internal chemistry, and your digestive system can break down food into molecules small enough to absorb.
Water also dilutes toxic substances, making them less harmful. Plus, it allows organisms to absorb essential mineral ions from food and transport them exactly where they're needed throughout the body.
Fun Fact: About 60% of your body weight is water, and it's constantly working as a transport system, temperature regulator, and chemical facilitator!
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Water Properties in OCR A Level Biology
M
@iamjungkook
Water isn't just something you drink – it's actually one of the most incredible molecules on Earth! Its unique properties make life possible, from helping plants grow tall to keeping your body temperature steady.
Water's Special Structure
Think of water as a tiny magnet with a positive and negative end – that's what makes it a polar molecule. This polarity creates hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which are like weak sticky forces that hold them together.
These hydrogen bonds cause cohesion, meaning water molecules literally stick to each other. You've seen this in action when water forms droplets or creates that invisible "skin" on a pond's surface – that's surface tension at work.
This stickiness is so strong that water can flow as one continuous mass. That's how plants can pull water all the way up from their roots to their leaves, even in tall trees! The water molecules hold hands and travel together against gravity.
Adhesion is when water sticks to other materials, sometimes even more strongly than to itself. Combined with cohesion, this creates capillary action – water's ability to climb up narrow spaces like the inside of a straw, even without you sucking on it.
Quick Tip: Remember the difference – cohesion is water loving water, adhesion is water loving other things!
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Temperature Control Master
Water is brilliant at keeping temperatures stable, and it's all thanks to those hydrogen bonds again. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it takes loads of energy to heat it up or cool it down by just 1°C.
This is a game-changer for living things. Your cells can absorb heat without your body temperature shooting up dangerously. It's like having a built-in temperature buffer that keeps everything running smoothly.
For aquatic life, this property is absolutely vital. Oceans and lakes absorb heat from the sun during the day and release it slowly at night, creating stable environments where marine creatures can thrive. Without this, water temperatures would swing wildly, making life impossible.
Water is also incompressible – you can't squeeze it into a smaller space no matter how hard you try. Those hydrogen bonds maintain their distance, giving water a low viscosity that helps it flow easily and transfer heat efficiently around your body.
Remember: Water's temperature stability is why Earth's climate is suitable for life – it's our planet's natural thermostat!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Ultimate Solvent
Water's latent heat capacity is incredibly high, meaning it takes massive amounts of energy to turn liquid water into vapour. This makes sweating such an effective cooling system – when sweat evaporates, it carries away loads of heat energy while only losing small amounts of water.
Being polar makes water the "universal solvent" – it can dissolve more substances than almost any other liquid. When you add salt to water, the positive parts of water molecules surround negative chloride ions, whilst the negative parts surround positive sodium ions. This breaks apart the salt crystals completely.
This dissolving power is crucial for life. Your blood can transport nutrients, hormones, and waste products because they're all dissolved in water. Cells can regulate their internal chemistry, and your digestive system can break down food into molecules small enough to absorb.
Water also dilutes toxic substances, making them less harmful. Plus, it allows organisms to absorb essential mineral ions from food and transport them exactly where they're needed throughout the body.
Fun Fact: About 60% of your body weight is water, and it's constantly working as a transport system, temperature regulator, and chemical facilitator!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user