Question Deck 1 Flashcards
Describe the molecular structure of water and explain how this structure influences the way that individual water molecules bond with other molecules.
- H20- 2 Hydrogen and 1 Oxygen
- Covalent Bond shares electrons-makes oxygen more negative and hydrogen more positive
- Hydrogen bond- will pull two hydrogen to fulfill octet
How does water density vary as a function of water temperature, and what are some of the environmental implications of this behavior?
- Warmer temperature means lower capacity/density
2. Tropics are warmer/more less, Poles are colder/dry
What is meant by the term “latent heat” (of fusion or of vaporization) and how do these processes influence Earth’s weather and climate?
- Latent heat- the heat required for water to change phase without changing temperature (ex. ice to water)
- Make it possible for all three forms to be found throughout the globe, ice floats, etc.
Why is water considered the “universal solvent”?
- Water is capable of dissolving a variety of different substances, which is why it is such a good solvent.
- Called the “universal solvent” because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
What are the three primary processes that together compose the global hydrological cycle?
- Evaporation
- Runoff
- Precipitation
What distinguishes the global hydrological cycle conceptual model from the catchment hydrological cycle conceptual model?
- The global hydrological cycle conceptual model shows more depth in subdividing processes.
- looks at interception, transpiration, and the unsaturated/saturated processes of runoff.
- The catchment is more general.
What is the water balance equation and how can it be manipulated to focus on specific parts of the hydrological cycle?
- mathematical description of hydrological processes operating within a timeframe
- incorporates principles of mass and continuity.
- Also used to look at runoff and the amount of flux from storage or another destination.
- can be used to describe the flow of water in and out of a system.
What is the difference between a store (aka reservoir) and a flux?
Store- amount of non-flowing water that is preserved.
Flux- rate of water flow
What is the primary process by which precipitation is formed?
- Cooling of the atmosphere- uplift of air/orographic
- Condensation onto nuclei
- Growth of water/ice droplets
What factors influence the spatial variation of precipitation?
- Altitude
- Wind/Pressure
- Topography
What happens to precipitation that falls on a vegetation canopy?
- Some stays and is later evaporated
2. Majority infiltrates into soil/down to tree
Polarity in water molecules
- Creates a slightly positive charge on hydrogen and a slightly negative charge on oxygen, contributing to water’s properties of attraction.
Heat Capacity of Water/Significance
- 1 calorie/gram °C = 4.186 joule/gram °C which is higher than any other common substance.
- water plays a very important role in temperature regulation, takes longer to heat up.
Six Major Stores in the Hydro Cycle
- Oceans
- Atmosphere
- Ice/Snow
- Groundwater
- Freshwater Storage (lakes/streams)
- Vegetation
Five Major fluxes in hydrologic system
- Evaporation
- Sublimation
- Surface Runoff
- Transpiration
- Condensation/Precipitation