Earth 4_L7_ Intro to Water, Seawater Properties

Water

One of the most peculiar substances, essential for life, with unique properties.

Covalent bond

A strong bond formed when two or more atoms share electrons.

Electrical polarity

The uneven distribution of electrical charges across a molecule, resulting in positive and negative sides.

Dipolar molecule

A molecule with a positive charge on one side and a negative charge on the other, such as water.

Surface tension

The cohesive force that causes the surface of a liquid to behave like a stretched elastic membrane.

Salinity

The total amount of dissolved substances in water, commonly measured as the percentage of dissolved material to water.

Halocline

A zone in the ocean where salinity changes rapidly with depth.

Thermocline

A layer in the ocean where temperature changes rapidly with depth.

Pycnocline

A layer in the ocean where density changes rapidly with depth.

Coriolis effect

The effect of the Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents, causing them to curve.

Latent heat

The amount of heat absorbed or released during a phase change of a substance.

Hurricanes

Powerful low-pressure systems that form over warm ocean waters, characterized by intense winds and storm surges.

Ocean currents

Continuous movement of ocean water driven by various factors, including wind, temperature differences, and salinity.

Density-driven currents

Water movements that occur due to differences in water density, typically caused by temperature and salinity.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak bonds that form between molecules due to the attraction between the positively charged hydrogen atoms and negatively charged atoms of other molecules.

Specific heat capacity

The amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Water cycle

The continuous process by which water evaporates, condenses, and precipitates within the Earth's atmosphere and surface.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.

Thermal inertia

The ability of water to absorb and retain heat, which influences climate and weather patterns.

Eutrophication

The process by which water bodies become enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Aquifer

A geological formation that can store and transmit water, often tapped for drinking water.

Water table

The level below which the ground is saturated with water, delineating the upper boundary of groundwater.

Acidity

A measure of how acidic or basic a solution is, usually on a scale from 0 to 14.

Alkalinity

The capacity of water to resist changes in pH, typically related to the presence of bicarbonates and carbonates.