The Hydrosphere

cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance

adhesion

An attraction between molecules of different substances

universal solvent

A phrase used to describe water due to its polarity and ability to dissolve many different solutes

water molecule

2 hydrogen atoms(+), 1 oxygen atom(-)

hydrologic cycle

The cycle through which water in the hydrosphere moves; includes such processes as evaporation, precipitation, and surface and groundwater runoff

solid

A form of matter that has a definite shape and volume

liquid

A state of matter that has no definite shape but has a definite volume.

gas

A state of matter with no definite shape or volume

protons

positively charged subatomic particles

neutrons

the particles of the nucleus that have no charge

electrons

negatively charged subatomic particles

atomic number

the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom

isotope

An atom with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons from other atoms of the same element.

polar molecule

molecule with an unequal distribution of charge, resulting in the molecule having a positive end and a negative end

specific heat

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius

71% of Earth's surface

covered by ocean

evaporation

The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas

condensation

The change of state from a gas to a liquid

precipitation

rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.

runoff

Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers

Average composition of ocean (salt/water)

96.5% water, 3.5% salt

Salinity Variation

Changes of salinity caused by the amount of precipitation or evaporation in an area, or by depth in the ocean.

halocline

a layer of water in which the salinity changes rapidly with changes in depth

thermocline

a steep temperature gradient in a body of water such as a lake, marked by a layer above and below which the water is at different temperatures.

pycnocline

a layer in an ocean or other body of water in which water density increases rapidly with depth.

thermohaline circulation

horizontal and vertical movement (upwelling/downwelling) due to variations in temperature, salinity and density in the ocean.

upwelling

The movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface

downwelling

The movement of water from the surface to greater depths.

crest

Highest point of a wave

trough

Lowest point of a wave

wavelength

Horizontal distance between the crests or between the troughs of two adjacent waves

groundwater

water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers

aquifer

A body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater.

unconfined aquifer

an aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow

confined aquifer

an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow

water table

The upper level of the saturated zone of groundwater

saturation zone

Below the water table where all spaces not filled with solid material fill with water.

zone of aeration

upper soil layers that hold both air and water

infiltration

Flow of water from the land surface into the subsurface.

freshwater

Does not contain any saltwater and can be rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands

ecosystem

A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment