FORM 2 SCIENCE

CHAPTER 5: WATER AND

SOLUTION

5.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

Water can exist in three states.

When water freezes, its changes from

liquid to solid (ice). The temperature at

which water freezes into ice is known as
the freezing point of water.
When water boils, its state changes from
liquid to gas (steam). The temperature at
which water boils and becomes steam is
called the boiling point of water.

5.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

When cooled

When cooled

When
heated

Ice

When
heated

Water

Steam

5.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

Changes to water particles during cooling:

Water is cooled

Particles lose
heat energy

Kinetic energy
of particles
decreases

Particles move
slower and
becomes closer

Changes to water particles during heating:

Water is heated

Particles gain
heat energy

Kinetic energy
of particles
increases

Particles move faster and

becomes further apart

5.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

An odourless,
colourless and
tasteless liquid
at room
temperature

Poor thermal
conductor

Has a
density of 1 g
per cm3

Physical
characteristics of
water

Its freezing
point is 0 C

Its boiling point

is 100 C

Poor
electrical
conductor
Expands upon
freezing

5.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

Impurities in water can change the

physical properties of water.

Pure water freezes at 0 C and boils at 100
C. Salt decreases the freezing point of
water to below 0 C and increases the
boiling point of water to above 100 C.
Density of sea water is higher than that of
pure water. Therefore, it is easier to float in
the sea than in a swimming pool.

5.1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER

Video on the dead sea:

5.2 COMPOSITION OF WATER

Water is a compound which is made up of

the elements hydrogen and oxygen. Water

particles are called molecules.
The composition of water can determined
by electrolysis. Electric current is passed
through water so that breaks down into
hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

5.2 COMPOSITION OF WATER

Electrolysis of water

5.2 COMPOSITION OF WATER

In the electrolysis of water, the volume of

hydrogen gas released at the cathode is

twice the volume of oxygen gas released
at the anode.
A water molecule consists of two atoms of
hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
Therefore, water is represented by the
formula H2O.

5.3 EVAPORATION OF WATER

Evaporation of water involves the

changing of water to water vapour.

Factors that affect the rate of evaporation
of water:
(i) Temperature of the surroundings
- The higher the temperature of the
surroundings, the higher the rate of
evaporation of water.

5.3 EVAPORATION OF WATER

(ii) Surface area of water

- The larger the surface area of water,
the higher the rate of evaporation of
water.
(iii) Humidity
- The higher the humidity, the lower
the rate of evaporation of water.
(iv) Movement of air
- Air movement increases the rate of
evaporation of water.

5.3 EVAPORATION OF WATER

Water evaporates faster when the

surface area of water is larger

Water evaporates faster when the

temperature of the surroundings is higher

5.3 EVAPORATION OF WATER

Water evaporates faster when

there is movement of air

Water evaporates faster when the

humidity is lower

5.3 EVAPORATION OF WATER

Evaporation

Boiling

Both involve the change of state from liquid to gas

Both processes absorb heat energy
Occurs at the liquids surface

Occurs throughout the liquid

Occurs at all temperatures below the

liquids boiling point

Occurs at the liquids boiling point

A slow process

A fast process

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

The substance that dissolves is called a

solute.
The substance that solute dissolves in
is called a solvent.
When a solute dissolves in a solvent, a
solution is formed.
Solute

Solvent

Solution

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

A solution is produced when a solute dissolves in a solvent

There are three types of solutions:

(i) Dilute solution

(ii) Concentrated solution
(iii) Saturated solution

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

Dilute solution

Concentrated
solution

Saturated solution

Similarities
All are prepared by dissolving solutes in solvents
All have clear appearance
Differences

Has little dissolved

solute in it

Has a lot of dissolved

solute in it

Has the maximum

amount of dissolved
solute in it

Can dissolve a lot more

solute

Can only dissolve a

little more solute

Cannot dissolve more

solute

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

A mixture of insoluble substances is called

a suspension. Muddy water is an example of

a suspension.
Insoluble substance
(solid)

Insoluble substance
(liquid)

Suspension

In a solution, the particles are dispersed

evenly throughout the solvent. Therefore,

solutions are always homogeneous (uniform
in colour and appearance) or transparent.
In a suspension, the insoluble particles are
suspended. Therefore, a suspension is often
non-homogeneous or cloudy.

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

A solution is transparent whereas a suspension is cloudy

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

Solubility is the maximum amount of

solute in grams that will dissolve in 100 g

of solvent at a given temperature.

Nature of the solute

Temperature
The higher the
temperature, the
higher the solubility

Factors
affecting
solubility

Nature of the solvent

A solute may have a lower
solubility in a certain
solvent but a higher
solubility in another solvent

A solute may have a

higher solubility than
another solute in a
given solvent

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

The rate of dissolving is the speed a

solute dissolves in a solvent.

Size of solute particles

Temperature
The higher the
temperature, the
higher the rate of
dissolving

Factors
affecting rate
of dissolving

Rate of stirring
The higher the rate of
stirring, the higher the
rate of dissolving

The smaller the size

of the solute particles,
the higher the rate of
dissolving

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

Apart from water, organic solvents can be

used to dissolve solutes which are

insoluble in water.
Alcohol

Solute

Alcohol

Iodine

As antiseptics and disinfectants

Resins

To produce liquid polish such as

varnish

Pigments
Scented
substances

Uses

To produce printing ink

To produce perfumes and aftershaves

Turpentine (thinner)

Pigments

To produce and dilute paints, to

remove paint stains

Acetone

Resins

To produce nail polish and lacquer

Benzene

Chemicals

As solvent in chemical laboratories

Ether

Fats

To extract fats

5.4 SOLUTION AND SOLUBILITY

Organic solvents are volatile. This means

that they evaporate easily. For example,

the solvents in correction fluid evaporate
quickly.
Many organic solvents are carcinogenic
(cause cancer), toxic and flammable.
Products containing organic solvents
should be handled with care to protect the
public and the environment.

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

Acid is a substance with a sour taste,

turns blue litmus paper to red, is

corrosive and reacts with metals to give
hydrogen gas. It has a pH value of less
than 7.
Alkali is a substance with a bitter taste
and soapy feel, turns red litmus paper
to blue and is corrosive.

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

Lemon juice is an acidic substance

that changes blue litmus paper to red

Soap is an alkaline substance that

changes red litmus paper to blue

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

Video on the reaction between acid and metal:

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

Properties of acid

Properties of alkali

Has a pH value less than 7

Has a pH value greater than 7

Has a sour taste

Has a bitter taste and feels soapy

Corrosive

Corrosive

Turns blue litmus paper to red

Turns red litmus paper to blue

Reacts with metals

Does not react with metals

Acid only show its properties when water is

present. When a piece of dry blue litmus

paper is added to solid citric acid, there is no
change in colour. But when we add water to
it, the blue litmus paper turns red.

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

Alkali only shows its properties when

water is present. When a piece of red

litmus paper is added to solid barium
hydroxide, no colour change occurs. But
when we add water to it, the red litmus
paper turns blue.
There are acids and alkalis in the laboratory.
Many household products contain acids and
alkalis too. For example, car batteries
contain sulphuric acid and household
cleaners contain alkalis.

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

Examples of acidic and alkaline substances

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

Neutralisation is a process in which acid

reacts with alkali to produce salt and

water.
Acid
Alkali
Salt
Water
Reactions of various kinds of acids and

alkalis
will produce
types of
salts:
Hydrochloric
Sodium different
Sodium
Water
acid

hydroxide

chloride

Sulphuric
acid

Potassium
hydroxide

Potassium
sulphate

Water

Nitric acid

Calcium
hydroxide

Calcium
nitrate

Water

5.5 ACID AND ALKALI

5.6 WATER PURIFICATION

Water used for drinking and washing needs

to be clean and free of harmful

microorganisms, chemicals, bad odour and
unpleasant taste.

5.7 WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Water treatment plant purifies water

through a series of processes.

5.7 WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Process of water treatment

5.8 PRESERVATION OF WATER QUALITY

Water pollution can be controlled through

prevention, enforcement and monitoring.

Preservation and conservation are
important in order to have continuous
supply of clean water.