Properties of Seawater

Question 1

What type of bond holds water molecules together?

Answer 1

Water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds.

Question 2

What is unique about the structure of water?

Answer 2

Water molecules have an asymmetrical shape, with two hydrogen atoms at one end and a separating angle of 105°.

Question 3

What is the dipole structure of water?

Answer 3

The dipole structure means that water has a positive side and a negative side.

Question 4

What is responsible for many unique properties of water?

Answer 4

Hydrogen bonding

Question 5

How does solid water (ice) differ from liquid water?

Answer 5

Solid water consists of ordered molecules tightly bonded in a hexagonal structure, while liquid water consists of molecules that move relative to one another.

Question 6

Why is liquid water denser than ice?

Answer 6

has more hydrogen bonds that allow molecules to be more closely packed, especially at lower temperatures.

Question 7

What is adhesion in relation to water?

Answer 7

Adhesion is the tendency of water molecules to stick to other substances.

Question 8

What is cohesion in relation to water?

Answer 8

Cohesion is the ability of water molecules to stick to each other.

Question 9

What contributes to the high surface tension of water?

Answer 9

The chainlike molecular structure and hydrogen bonding contribute to the high surface tension of water.

Question 10

What is the importance of heat capacity in water?

Answer 10

Water has a high heat capacity, meaning a significant amount of heat is needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by 1°C.

Question 11

What is hydration in terms of dissolved salts in water?

Answer 11

Hydration is the process of water surrounding ions in a salt molecule, neutralizing the ionic bonds holding the molecule together.

Question 12

What are the main components of seawater?

Answer 12

The main components of seawater include salts, nutrients, gases, trace elements, and organic compounds.

Question 13

What is the dominant salt in seawater?

Answer 13

Sodium chloride (NaCl) comprises 86% of oceanic salt.

Question 14

What does the principle of Constant Proportion state?

Answer 14

It states that the relative proportions of ions in seawater remain constant, even though the absolute amount of salt can vary.

Question 15

What common units are used to measure salinity?

Answer 15

Salinity is often measured in parts per thousand (ppt) or in grams per kilogram (g/kg).

Question 16

What is considered absolute salinity?

Answer 16

Absolute salinity refers to the mass of material dissolved in one kilogram of seawater after the water has evaporated.

Question 17

What inputs affect ocean salinity?

Answer 17

Weathering of rocks, reaction of lava with seawater, and freshwater runoff from rivers are inputs affecting ocean salinity.

Question 18

What outputs contribute to the changes in ocean salinity?

Answer 18

Wind-blown spray, adsorption of ions onto clays, shell formation, and sedimentation contribute to outputs affecting ocean salinity.

Question 19

How is seawater density determined?

Answer 19

Seawater density is determined by temperature, salinity, and pressure.

Question 20

What formulas are used to describe oceanographic pressure?

Answer 20

The total pressure is the sum of sea pressure and atmospheric pressure.

Question 21

What are the typical specific heat values for seawater and air?

Answer 21

The specific heat of seawater is around 3930 J/kg K, while for air it’s around 1000 J/kg K.

Question 22

What temperature does seawater typically freeze?

Answer 22

Seawater typically freezes around ~1.7°C, depending on salinity.

Question 23

How does seasonal solar radiation affect water?

Answer 23

Seasonal solar radiation can drive thermal stratification and mixing patterns in the water column.

Question 24

What does a salinity minimum indicate?

Answer 24

A salinity minimum indicates layers of water with distinct salinity levels, often associated with specific oceanic conditions.

Question 25

What role does freshwater runoff play in ocean salinity?

Answer 25

Freshwater runoff can dilute the salinity of ocean waters, affecting local salinity gradients.

Question 26

What is measured in Technically None when discussing salinity?

Answer 26

Technically, there are no specific units for practical salinity; often it’s referenced as psu (practical salinity units).

Question 27

What is the significance of the Thermodynamic Equation of Seawater (TEOS-10)?

Answer 27

TEOS-10 uses Absolute Salinity to describe the salt content of seawater more accurately than previous methods.

Question 28

What is the relationship between temperature, salinity, and density represented in?

Answer 28

It is represented in Temperature-Salinity (TS) diagrams.

Question 29

What phenomenon is indicated by cross-shelf density gradients?

Answer 29

Cross-shelf density gradients indicate variations in temperature and salinity due to seasonal changes and freshwater inputs.

Question 30

What happens during deep ocean boundary interactions?

Answer 30

They result in distinct water masses characterized by different density and other properties.

Question 31

What temporal scale is referred to as long-term regarding ocean salinity?

Answer 31

Long-term refers to global budgeting of salt inputs and outputs over extended periods.

Question 32

How does salinity variability relate to time intervals?

Answer 32

Nonconservative components of seawater concentrations can vary greatly over short time intervals.

Question 33

What is the role of thermal stratification in the oceans?

Answer 33

Thermal stratification affects how different layers of water interact and mix seasonally.

Question 34

How can salinity measurements vary with environmental factors?

Answer 34

Salinity can be influenced by evaporation, precipitation, and freshwater runoff, leading to gradients and fluctuations.

Question 35

What defines the distribution of water properties in the Mid-Atlantic Bight?

Answer 35

It is defined by a combination of temperature, salinity, and the overall physical and chemical dynamics of the ocean in that region.