CHEMICAL and PHYSICAL FEATURES

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Questions and Answers

Which property of water is responsible for its ability to dissolve polar molecules?

Hydrogen bonds (correct)

Specific/latent heat

Salinity

Polarity

What is the net charge of a water molecule?

Zero (correct)

Negative

Positive

Variable

What is the main reason why water is considered a universal solvent?

Hydrogen bonds

Salinity

Polarity (correct)

Specific/latent heat

What is the role of salinity in determining the chemistry of natural waters?

It affects the dissolved salt content Signup and view all the answers

What is the specific/latent heat of water?

The amount of energy needed to change the state of 1 kg of water without changing its temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of temperature on the heating/cooling of Earth's surface?

Temperature influences the amount of energy needed to heat water Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of hydrogen bonds in water?

They cause water molecules to attract each other Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of water's transparency to visible light?

Water allows visible light to pass through Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of water's shape on its polarity?

Water's shape causes the hydrogen ends to be positive and the oxygen end to be negative Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of salinity in determining conductivity in natural waters?

Salinity increases conductivity Signup and view all the answers

Which physical process drives the global conveyor belt in the ocean?

Density-driven circulation Signup and view all the answers

What causes wind-driven waves in the ocean?

Waves Signup and view all the answers

What causes tides in the ocean?

Tides Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Coriolis effect in ocean circulation patterns?

It causes ocean currents to form gyres Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thermocline in a body of water?

It creates a steep temperature gradient Signup and view all the answers

What is the pycnocline in an ocean?

It increases water density rapidly with depth Signup and view all the answers

What is the halocline in an ocean?

It creates a sharp discontinuity in salinity Signup and view all the answers

What causes water to pile up at mid-latitudes in the ocean?

Ekman transport Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the circulatory patterns of ocean currents driven by wind stress?

Coriolis effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of the deflection of wind and surface ocean currents?

Coriolis effect Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Water Properties

Water's ability to dissolve polar molecules is due to its polar nature, which is responsible for its high dielectric constant.
A water molecule has a net dipole moment, resulting in a slight positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom.
Water is considered a universal solvent because of its high polarity and ability to dissolve a wide range of substances, from salts to organic compounds.

Thermal Properties

Water has a high specific heat capacity (4.184 J/g°C), which means it can absorb and release a large amount of heat energy without a significant change in temperature.
The high latent heat of water (334 J/g) is responsible for the significant energy required to change its state from liquid to gas or solid.

Temperature and Earth's Surface

Temperature affects the heating and cooling of the Earth's surface, with warmer temperatures causing expansion and cooling causing contraction.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules are responsible for many of water's unique properties, such as its high boiling point and surface tension.

Optical Properties

Water's transparency to visible light is due to its low absorption of light in the visible spectrum, allowing it to transmit light with minimal scattering.

Shape and Polarity

The bent shape of a water molecule, with its hydrogen atoms bonded at an angle of about 104.5°, contributes to its polarity.

Salinity and Conductivity

Salinity affects the chemistry of natural waters, with changes in salinity influencing the concentration of dissolved ions and the conductivity of the water.

Ocean Circulation

The global conveyor belt in the ocean is driven by thermohaline circulation, which is influenced by changes in temperature and salinity.
Wind-driven waves are caused by the transfer of energy from the wind to the ocean surface.
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on the ocean.
The Coriolis effect, resulting from the Earth's rotation, plays a significant role in ocean circulation patterns.
The thermocline is a layer in a body of water where the temperature changes rapidly with depth, which affects the circulation of water masses.
The pycnocline is a layer in an ocean where the density changes rapidly with depth, often due to changes in salinity or temperature.
The halocline is a layer in an ocean where the salinity changes rapidly with depth.
Water piles up at mid-latitudes due to the Coriolis effect and the resulting Ekman transport.
The primary factor determining the circulatory patterns of ocean currents driven by wind stress is the wind stress itself.
The deflection of wind and surface ocean currents is mainly caused by the Coriolis effect.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the properties of water including its polarity and hydrogen bonding. Explore how water molecules interact and attract other polar molecules.