- polar which allows it to be a solvent for other polar molecules and ions - high specific heat capacity due to hydrogen bonds so large amount of energy required to warm it up - high latent heat of vaporisation due to hydrogen bonds so evaporation produces a cooling effect - cohesion due to hydrogen bonds creates continuous columns of water in xylem vessels in transpiration - adhesion to other polar surfaces helps water move up xylem walls - ice is less dense than water so it forms an insulating layer over it allowing aquatic life to survive