Properties of Water
What type of bonds form between water molecules?
Covalent Bonds
What energy source drives the hydrological processes?
Solar radiation
List two greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
What layer of the atmosphere contains most weather phenomena?
The troposphere.
What drives surface currents in the ocean?
Wind patterns and Earth's rotation.
What is the term for the attraction between water molecules?
Cohesion
Name one phase change of water that absorbs energy.
Evaporation
What human activity increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels.
Define convection currents.
Movements of fluid caused by differences in temperature and density.
How do upwelling and downwelling affect coastal ecosystems?
Upwelling brings nutrient-rich water to the surface, supporting marine life; downwelling carries surface water and oxygen to deeper waters.
Explain why water is considered a polar molecule.
Water has a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other due to its molecular structure.
How does evaporation cool surfaces?
Evaporation removes heat from the surface as molecules transition from liquid to gas.
What role does methane play in the greenhouse effect?
Methane traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
How do air masses influence weather?
Different air masses bring varying temperatures and moisture levels, affecting weather patterns.
Describe the impact of ocean currents on climate.
They regulate temperatures and weather patterns, influencing climates in coastal areas.
How does surface tension in water affect small objects?
Surface tension allows small objects, like a needle, to float on water without sinking
Explain how ocean currents transfer heat.
Ocean currents move warm water from the equator towards the poles, influencing climate.
Explain the importance of the greenhouse effect.
It maintains Earth's temperature by trapping heat, which is essential for life.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The deflection of moving objects due to Earth's rotation, affecting wind and ocean currents.
What are gyres, and how do they form?
Large circular ocean currents formed by wind patterns and the Coriolis effect.
Describe one effect of water's high specific heat capacity.
It moderates temperatures in coastal areas, preventing extreme temperature changes
What is the positive feedback loop involving water vapor?
Warmer temperatures increase water vapor, which enhances the greenhouse effect, leading to more warming.
Describe how water vapor contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Water vapor amplifies the greenhouse effect by trapping heat more effectively than other gases.
Explain how El Niño affects global weather patterns.
El Niño alters ocean temperatures, impacting weather patterns like increased rainfall or drought in various regions.
Explain the significance of thermocline in ocean currents.
Thermocline is a layer in the ocean where temperature changes rapidly, affecting marine life and nutrient distribution.