3.4 SLO

Front

What is the thermal capacity of water compared to other molecules?

Back

Water has a high thermal capacity. This means it does not heat up easily compared to other substances, as illustrated by a pan filled with water taking longer to heat than an empty pan. This remarkable capacity is due to water's hydrogen bonds and its polar nature.

Front

What happens to the density of water as it cools? How is this different than other molecules?

Back

As water cools, its density increases until it reaches its highest density at 4°C. Below 4°C, as it cools further and freezes into ice, its density decreases. This is different from most other molecules, which generally become denser as they cool and solidify. This unique property is also a result of hydrogen bonding.

Front

What characteristic of water accounts for both its high thermal capacity and its density at different temperatures?

Back

The characteristic of water that accounts for both its high thermal capacity and its density at different temperatures is hydrogen bonding and its polar nature. These properties give water a "remarkable capacity" to hold heat and influence how its molecules arrange as temperatures change, leading to its unique density curve.

Front

What are the two main ways to reduce drag due to the viscosity of water?

Back

Streamlined body shapes, as seen in sharks and dolphins. Having specialized skin surfaces or textures.

Front

What are two most common adaptations for life at the deepest parts of the ocean?

Back

Bioluminescence, the ability to produce light. Chemosynthesis, a process where organisms obtain energy by breaking down chemical compounds instead of sunlight.

Front

Why is water such a good solvent?

Back

Water is an excellent solvent due to its remarkable capacity stemming from its hydrogen bonds and polar nature. These properties allow water molecules to effectively surround and keep various compounds or ionic compounds "floating around" in solution.

Front

What are the common atmospheric gases that can dissolve in water?

Back

Common atmospheric gases that can dissolve in water include Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and Oxygen (O₂), as well as Nitrogen (N₂) and others.

Front

What additional phenomenon occurs with many of these “dissolved gases”?

Back

An additional phenomenon that occurs with many dissolved gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), is that it can react with water (H₂O) to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which then dissociates into bicarbonate (HCO₃-) and carbonate (CO₃²-) ions. This process is part of the dissolved carbon dioxide pool. Other phenomena related to dissolved gases include diffusion and the formation of a boundary layer.

Front

How have we reduced anthropogenic sources of acidification?

Back

Anthropogenic sources of acidification have been significantly reduced through legislation and regulation. In the United States, legislation from 1967 to 2023 led to a 90% decline in sulfur dioxide and an 87% decline in nitrogen oxides, thereby reducing acid precipitation.

Front

How do hyperosmotic freshwater organisms maintain proper salt concentration in their bodies?

Back

Hyperosmotic freshwater organisms face the challenge of having a higher solute concentration inside their bodies than the surrounding water, leading to osmotic gain of water and loss of solutes. They maintain proper salt concentration and water balance through several adaptations: Urine: Their kidneys work to eliminate excess water and retain most solutes, producing dilute urine. Gills: They can actively take up solutes through their gills to counteract the loss. * They also experience osmotic gain of water through their gills and mouth.