Question Deck 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the molecular structure of water and explain how this structure influences the way that individual water molecules bond with other molecules.

A
  1. H20- 2 Hydrogen and 1 Oxygen
  2. Covalent Bond shares electrons-makes oxygen more negative and hydrogen more positive
  3. Hydrogen bond- will pull two hydrogen to fulfill octet
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2
Q

How does water density vary as a function of water temperature, and what are some of the environmental implications of this behavior?

A
  1. Warmer temperature means lower capacity/density

2. Tropics are warmer/more less, Poles are colder/dry

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3
Q

What is meant by the term “latent heat” (of fusion or of vaporization) and how do these processes influence Earth’s weather and climate?

A
  1. Latent heat- the heat required for water to change phase without changing temperature (ex. ice to water)
  2. Make it possible for all three forms to be found throughout the globe, ice floats, etc.
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4
Q

Why is water considered the “universal solvent”?

A
  1. Water is capable of dissolving a variety of different substances, which is why it is such a good solvent.
  2. Called the “universal solvent” because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
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5
Q

What are the three primary processes that together compose the global hydrological cycle?

A
  1. Evaporation
  2. Runoff
  3. Precipitation
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6
Q

What distinguishes the global hydrological cycle conceptual model from the catchment hydrological cycle conceptual model?

A
  1. The global hydrological cycle conceptual model shows more depth in subdividing processes.
  2. looks at interception, transpiration, and the unsaturated/saturated processes of runoff.
  3. The catchment is more general.
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7
Q

What is the water balance equation and how can it be manipulated to focus on specific parts of the hydrological cycle?

A
  1. mathematical description of hydrological processes operating within a timeframe
  2. incorporates principles of mass and continuity.
  3. Also used to look at runoff and the amount of flux from storage or another destination.
  4. can be used to describe the flow of water in and out of a system.
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8
Q

What is the difference between a store (aka reservoir) and a flux?

A

Store- amount of non-flowing water that is preserved.

Flux- rate of water flow

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9
Q

What is the primary process by which precipitation is formed?

A
  1. Cooling of the atmosphere- uplift of air/orographic
  2. Condensation onto nuclei
  3. Growth of water/ice droplets
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10
Q

What factors influence the spatial variation of precipitation?

A
  1. Altitude
  2. Wind/Pressure
  3. Topography
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11
Q

What happens to precipitation that falls on a vegetation canopy?

A
  1. Some stays and is later evaporated

2. Majority infiltrates into soil/down to tree

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12
Q

Polarity in water molecules

A
  1. Creates a slightly positive charge on hydrogen and a slightly negative charge on oxygen, contributing to water’s properties of attraction.
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13
Q

Heat Capacity of Water/Significance

A
  1. 1 calorie/gram °C = 4.186 joule/gram °C which is higher than any other common substance.
  2. water plays a very important role in temperature regulation, takes longer to heat up.
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14
Q

Six Major Stores in the Hydro Cycle

A
  1. Oceans
  2. Atmosphere
  3. Ice/Snow
  4. Groundwater
  5. Freshwater Storage (lakes/streams)
  6. Vegetation
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15
Q

Five Major fluxes in hydrologic system

A
  1. Evaporation
  2. Sublimation
  3. Surface Runoff
  4. Transpiration
  5. Condensation/Precipitation
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16
Q

Residence Time in a system

A
  1. Amount of time in hydrologic systems, ex. groundwater has long residence time