Properties+of+Matter

// Form determines function. // Good ol' H-2-O is an amazing little molecule. It's one of the smallest molecules you could possibly make, and yet it has a higher boiling point than EVERY other covalent compound its size. It is an excellent solvent and, without it, life could not exist as we know it. Fortunately for water spiders, it has an amazing surface tension. And it can even defy gravity by pulling itself up thin "capillary" tubes and wicking itself up cotton or paper. How does it do all these things? In this section, we'll find out, and apply our findings to other moecules, as well. We'll begin by looking at how bonds are formed and how molecules are put together. From their structures, we'll then deduce their three-dimensional shapes. From their shapes, we'll figure out their polarity. And from their polarity, we'll determine how attractive their molecules are to each other. From there, we'll see how their attractiveness dictates their properties. From quantum mechanics all the way to boiling point, it's a very logical progression!