How do water’s thermostatic properties maintain global temperatures? Explain heat capacity and latent
heat in your answer. What will be an ideal response?
ANS:Answer
should include:
? Heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise one gram of a substance by 1?
Celsius. Water has one of the highest heat capacities, seconds only to ammonia.
? Latent heat is the pause in temperature fluctuations when water is changing states. Latent
heat of fusion occurs when liquid water becomes ice. The addition of 80 calories per
gram is needed for water to become a solid. Latent heat of vaporization happens when
water is transitioning to a gas. This state change requires 540 calories per gram. These
properties make it easier for water to remain in a liquid state.
? Water's high heat capacity allows it to absorb large amounts of heat from the sun, but
only raise a few degrees in temperature. The tendency to resist temperature changes
when heat is gained or lost is called thermal inertia.
? These properties of water keep the ocean at a relatively consistent temperature and in a
liquid state. This is a big factor in keeping the Earth cool.
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The single greatest threat to irrigated agriculture is
A) groundwater depletion. B) global warming. C) flooding. D) pollution from hydroelectric dam projects.
Briefly explain why desert ecosystems are particularly fragile.
What will be an ideal response?
The depth beneath the surface of the ocean below which passing waves do not disturb the water
column is called:a. thermocline. b. wave base. c. fetch. d. wave depth. e. the ocean floor