Water Wonders Viewing Guide
WATER WONDERS
Amoeba Sisters Video Viewing & Analysis Guide
Student Name
Period / Class
Date
Video Focus: Amoeba Sisters — Properties of Water
Runtime: ~7 min Part 1 of 2
Part 1: Chemical Polarity & Hydrogen Bonding
Video Timestamp [0:00 – 2:15]
1. Diagram the Water Molecule
Draw one \(H_2O\) molecule. Label the Oxygen atom, Hydrogen atoms, and partial charges (\(\delta^+\) and \(\delta^-\)).
2. Why is water considered a polar molecule? What causes the uneven distribution of electrical charge?
3. Describe how a hydrogen bond forms between separate water molecules. How does it compare in strength to a covalent bond?
Part 2: Cohesion & Surface Tension
Video Timestamp [2:15 – 3:30]
Concept Definition
4. What is cohesion?
State what water molecules are attracted to in cohesion:
How does cohesion produce surface tension?
Biological Phenomenon
5. The Water Strider Challenge
In the video, small insects walk across a pond. Explain why the water strider doesn't sink, and predict what happens if dish soap (a surfactant) is added to the water.
Part 3: Adhesion & Capillary Action
Video Timestamp [3:30 – 4:35]
6. Cohesion vs. Adhesion
Define adhesion and explain why water curves up into a meniscus inside a glass graduated cylinder:
7. Plant Survival: Capillary Action in Action
How do cohesion and adhesion work together in capillary action to help tall trees transport water from roots to leaves against gravity?
Properties of Water • Viewing Guide Turn page over for Thermal Properties & Solvency → Page 1 of 2
THERMAL DYNAMICS & SOLVENT POWER
Name: Page 2 of 2
Part 4: High Specific Heat & Climate Moderation
Video Timestamp [4:35 – 5:40]
8. What is High Specific Heat?
Why does water require a large amount of heat energy to raise its temperature? What role do hydrogen bonds play?
9. Ecological Impact
Why is water's high specific heat vital for aquatic ecosystems and global coastal weather?
Part 5: Evaporative Cooling
Video Timestamp [5:40 – 6:15]
10. Sweating & Homeostasis
Explain the physics and biology of evaporative cooling: as sweat evaporates from your skin, which water molecules leave first, and what happens to your remaining surface temperature?
Part 6: Expansion Upon Freezing & Ice Density
Video Timestamp [6:15 – 7:00]
11. Why Does Ice Float?
How does the arrangement of hydrogen bonds change when liquid water freezes into solid ice? Why is solid ice less dense?
12. Lake Survival in Winter
What would happen to aquatic organisms (fish, plants, frogs) if ice sank instead of floating to the surface?
Part 7: Water as the "Universal Solvent"
Video Timestamp [7:00 – End]
13. Dissolving Solutes
Why is water able to dissolve ionic compounds (like \(NaCl\)) and other polar substances so effectively?
14. Hydrophilic vs. Hydrophobic
Define these terms and give an example of each:
Post-Viewing Synthesis Challenge
Big Idea Connection
Choose one living organism (e.g., human, redwood tree, polar bear, or duck). Describe how at least two unique properties of water work together to sustain that organism's life.
Amoeba Sisters • Properties of Water Guide Biology Interactive Notebook Resource Page 2 of 2
