Test 2 Study Guide - Water Chemistry & Physical Properties

Vocabulary flashcards covering water molecular structure, specific heat, heat capacity, temperature and salinity effects on water density, surface salinity inputs and outputs, and key marine minerals.

Water Molecule ($H_2O$)

A polar molecule composed of hydrogen and oxygen held together by covalent bonds and displaying hydrogen bonding.

Surface Tension

A property of water influenced by hydrogen bonding, exemplified by a paper clip floating on water and water forming a bead when dripping.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat required for a change in a unit mass of the material.

Heat Capacity

The amount of heat required for a change of the material.

Water Density Temperature Trends

Water density increases with decreasing temperature down to $3.98\,^\circ\text{C}$, decreases with decreasing temperature from $3.98\,^\circ\text{C}$ to $0\,^\circ\text{C}$, and decreases at the phase transition from liquid to solid.

Pink Line (Temp/Salinity Diagram)

Represents the temperature of maximum density for liquid water, which becomes colder as salinity increases.

Black Line (Temp/Salinity Diagram)

Represents the initial freezing temperature of water, showing that adding salt lowers the freezing temperature.

Contour Lines (Temp/Salinity Diagram)

Lines of equal density indicating that cold and salty water is more dense and sinks, whereas warm and fresh water is less dense and floats.

Surface Salinity Inputs

Factors contributing to salinity inputs, including rivers, volcanism, ridge systems, and decay.

Surface Salinity Outputs

Factors removing salinity from the system, including absorption and precipitation, sea spray, biological uptake, and sediments.

Aragonite and Calcite

Minerals produced depending on salinity, both used for shells and skeletons, which play a role in the carbon cycle, ocean pH buffering, sediments, ocean acidification, and depth zones, and are measured using rock salt fluid inclusions.