Water Flashcards
List the unique properties of water
Can exist in all 3 states
Has high surface tension (due to hydrogen bonds)
Is a powerful solvent
Conducts heat better than any liquid except Mercury
What are the two processes of Fusion?
Solid \/Melting Liquid \/Freezing Solid
What are the two processes of Vaporisation?
Liquid \/Evaporation Gas \/Condensation Liquid
What are the two processes of Sublimation?
Solid \/Sublimation Gas \/Deposition Solid
Where is most of Earth’s water found?
In Oceans
Which 4 areas can water be found in?
Oceanic
Atmospheric
Cryospheric
Terrestrial
Only one area contains water in all 3 states. Which is it?
Atmospheric:
Gas: Water Vapour in the air
Liquid: Rain droplets
Solid: Tiny ice crystals
What problem is there for the human water supply?
Most water globally is saltwater, and of the freshwater, most of it is either stored in glacial deposits or groundwater
In what forms can terrestrial water be found?
Groundwater
Biomass
Why does water have a high surface tension?
The arrangement of H atoms relative to the O atom create a strong polarity, allowing the molecules to chain together in strong, hydrogen bonds
Why can water evaporate before it reaches 100 °C?
Latent Heat - absorbing heat energy from the surroundings to reach the boiling point
Why is water difficult to access for humans?
Only 2.5% of Earth’s water is fresh
Only 1.2% of that is not ice or groundwater
Only 0.49% of that is liquid surface water
What is notable about Oceanic Water?
It is the largest water store, holding between 1.32e9 and 1.37e9 km3 of water. The difference between these two is more that the rest of the water on earth combined.
How much of the Earth’s surface is covered by water?
72%
What is the difference between an Ice Cap and an Ice Sheet?
Ice Cap < 50,000 km2 < Ice Sheet
