Water Properties

Question 1

Describe water molecule

Answer 1

H2O One atom of Oxygen (negative) and two atoms of Hydrogen (positive)

Question 2

Density

Answer 2

Ice molecules packed close together, ice is less dense than liquid and why it floats on water.
Water vapour (gaseous state) is less dense than water, molcules move rapidly and freely and not bound together

Question 3

Surface tension

Answer 3

At the air-water interface the sticky polar nature of water allows it to form a ‘skin’ over the water surfact, strong enough to support small ovjects.

Question 4

How do organisms travel via ocean currents

Answer 4

The density of water allows organisms to travel via the currents.

Question 5

Ocean currents are driven by

Answer 5

Temperature
Wind
Gravity

Question 6

Temperature drives ocean currents by

Answer 6

surface of the ocean is heated by sunlights, depths are cooler.
the sun causes variations in the temperature and salinity of seawater, which in turn controls its density

Question 7

Density of water affects movement

Answer 7

Colder more dense water moves to the bottom of the ocean

Question 8

Wind drives ocean currents by

Answer 8

transfer of energy from winds to the upper layers of the ocean causes variation in the temperature and salimity of seawater which in turn control its density.
If surface water becomes more dense than underlying waters the denser surface water will sink.

Question 9

Describe Thermohaline circulation

Answer 9

Thermo = temperature
Haline - salinity
When more dense water (colder or more saline) sinks causing a circulation of water or current.

Question 10

Gravity affects ocean currents by

Answer 10

the rotation of the earth contributes to ocean circulation patterns.

Question 11

How does sea water increase salinity

Answer 11

When seawater freezes it leaves salt behind increasing salinity, the water becomes denser and sinks.

Question 12

Deep water forms when

Answer 12

Surface water flows t the poles and gets colder
The seawater freezes and leaves salt behind increasing the salinity of the water.
Becuase the water becomes denser it sinks.

Question 13

Deep ocean currents are driven by density of seawater

Answer 13

Colder water is denser

Saltier water is densier (at the poles)

Question 14

How does global climate change effect thermohaline circulation

Answer 14

Melting of sea ice

Increased precipitation which causes decrease in salinity which may alter thermohaline circulation.