Why does water have different properties than its constituent elements?

Question

Wyatt Adkins · Accepted Answer

undefined Water has different properties than its constituent elements because of the unique arrangement of its atoms and the formation of hydrogen bonds, which result in characteristics such as high surface tension, cohesion, and the ability to dissolve a wide range of substances.

Jeremiah Adams · Answer

Because water is a stable molecule, with a large heat capacity......

The synthesis reaction of water is represented by: #H_2(g) + 1/2O_2(g) rarr H_2O(l) +Delta# Since oxygen has been reduced and hydrogen has been oxidized to form a very stable molecule, this is a redox reaction, and as such, the molecular properties are different from the properties of the elemental reactants. And moreover, to heat the #H-O# bonds we have to supply much energy, and this tends to quench the energy supplied by a fire when we douse it. This is especially true given that water, for such a small molecule, is EXCEPTIONALLY dense, and is not even a gas under normal conditions.