Water Potential (5)

Hydrogen bonding gives water a high tensile strength, defined as the maximum force per unit area that a continuous column of water can withstand before breaking. Water can resist pressures more negative than -20 MPa, where the negative sign indicates tension, as opposed to compression. Pressure is measured in units called pascals (Pa), or more conveniently, megapascals (MPa). One MPa equals approximately 9.9 atmospheres.