Groundwater Quiz Review

Permeability

1. The ability/rate of water to flow through the pore spaces in rock/sediment

2. Sediment with larger pores & grains has higher permeability & and groundwater can easily flow and be brought up through wells (vice versa, smaller pores & grains = less permeability)

Calculated through mL/sec

Porosity

1. The amount of water that can fit in the empty space in sediment

2. Sediment with larger pores & grains has higher porosity (lower water retention) & groundwater can more easily move through it (vice versa, smaller pores & grains = less porosity)

3. Measured as a percentage

Cohesion

1. The ability of water molecules to stick to each other

Adhesion

The ability of water molecules to stick to other substances

Surface Tension

The cohesion of the water molecules on the surface of the water

Capillary Water

Water that sticks to sediment grains due to the cohesion and adhesion between the water molecules’ hydrogen bonds and other surfaces

Capillary Movement

The cohesion and adhesion of water causing it to move/pull itself up objects (ex. tree/plant stems & roots, paper towels)

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1g of a substance by 1 °C (measured in calories) (ex. Water has high specific heat, alcohol has low specific heat)

Latent Heat

Energy absorbed or released by a substance during phase change