Chapter One Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is an element?
a substance that cannot be chemically broken down into a simpler substance
What is a compound?
A substance containing 2 or more elements chemically bonds to each other
What is an ionic bond?
chemical bond that involves the attraction between two oppositely charged ions
What’s a solute?
A solid that dissolves in a solvent
What’s a covalent bond?
A chemical bond that involves sharing of electron pairs between electrons
What’s specific heat capacity
The amount of heat required to change 1kg of mass by 1 degree celsius
What is a pycnocline?
A layer of water between two layers of water with different densities
What is the impact of temperature on gas solubility and why?
As temperature increases, gas solubility decreases as the increased kinetic energy of gas molecules at higher temperatures allows them to escape the liquid phase more easily.
What effect does salinity have on gas solubility and why?
As salinity increases gas solubility decreases due to the dissolved ions competing for binding sites with water molecules = reduces waters ability to dissolve gas.
What are 3 techniques to measure the PH of water?
Litmus indicator, universal indicator and PH probe.
Why is there an oxygen minimum layer?
Lack of oxygen produced by photosynthesis and consumers still respiring.
What is the formula for density?
density = mass/volume
What is a thermal insulator?
A substance which reduces the rate of transfer of thermal energy
Why does fresh water sit on top of saltier water?
Higher salinity = higher density
What is a halocline?
A layer within a body of water where salinity dramatically changes
Explain the role of hydrogen bonding as sodium chloride dissolves in water
Within H20, oxygen is slightly negative while hydrogen is slightly positive. Cl- is attracted to H+ while Na+ is attracted to O-. Hydrogen bonds between Cl and H pull Nacl apart and surround it allowing Na and Cl to evenly dissolve throughout water.
How does hydrogen bonding make ice less dense than water?
In liquid water, hydrogen bonds constantly break and reform allowing molecules to be closer together. When water freezes the molecules form a hexagonal lattice structure which creates more space between them than liquid water.
Effect of evaporation and freezing on salinity?
Evaporation increases salinity because it removes water while leaving the salt behind, thus concentrating the dissolved salts. Freezing also increases salinity because when sea ice forms, it excludes salt, leaving the remaining seawater saltier
Why is ice important to marine animals?
Ice acts as a thermal regulator, making water in cold areas warmer as well as providing a habitat for marine algae to grow and polar bears to hunt etc.
Define salinity
A measure of the quantity of dissolved solids in ocean water, represented by parts per thousand (ppt) or %
