Water Lecture 1

What is the largest water reservoir on Earth?

Oceans

What process involves water leaving the ocean due to the Sun's energy?

Evaporation

What percentage of Earth's surface water is contained in oceans?

97%

What happens to salt during the evaporation of ocean water?

Salt is left behind.

What is the term for water that falls on land due to precipitation?

Meteoric water

How does the temperature of water affect its density?

As temperature increases, density decreases.

At what temperature is water most dense?

Approximately 4°C

What is the relationship between air temperature and water vapor content?

Positive relationship; warmer air holds more moisture.

How much water vapor can air hold at 30°C?

30 g/m³

What is Avogadro’s number?

6.022×10²³ atoms.

What is latent heat of vaporization?

The energy required for phase changes from liquid to gas.

What is the high heat capacity of water and why is it significant?

Water resists temperature change 30 times more than lead; it affects climate regulation.

What are the key components of the climate system?

Atmosphere, ocean, ice, land surface, vegetation.

What is the greenhouse effect?

CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O trap heat in the atmosphere.

What term describes the movement of water from the land back to oceans?

Runoff

What does the term 'anthropogenic forcing' refer to?

Greenhouse gases and alterations of land surfaces caused by human activities.

What unusual property does ice have compared to liquid water?

Ice is less dense than water.

What happens to sea level as glaciers melt?

Water flows into oceans, causing sea levels to rise.

What is the typical rise in sea level observed per year?

0.14 inches per year (approximately 10-20 cm in the past 20 years).

What drives the evaporation of water from the ocean?

The Sun's energy.

Which climate change forcing factors operate over millions of years?

Tectonic processes

What is the implication of warmer air in relation to precipitation?

It leads to heavier precipitation.

What is the unique feature of water molecules that allows them to bond with each other?

Polarity and hydrogen bonding.