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HYDROLOGY

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Jeymart Macondan
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14 views

HYDROLOGY

Uploaded by

Jeymart Macondan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HYDROLOGY-ASSIGNMENT-01

Jeymart C. Macondan

Questions and Answers


• Describe the Physical Properties of Water:
Numerous phenomena that are important to several branches of study,
such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and climate studies, are largely
influenced by the characteristics of water. The behavior of water in many
habitats and conditions is still mysterious and frequently surprising, de-
spite decades of extensive study. Water, a simple molecule composed of
two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, exhibits a range of unique
physical properties that make it vital for life on Earth. These properties
are influenced by temperature and have significant implications for both
natural processes and industrial applications. The table summarized these
physical properties and their variations across different temperatures, pro-
viding insights into the behavior of water under various conditions.
One of the most important physical properties of water is its density,
which measures how much mass is contained in a given volume. At 0°C,
the density of water is approximately 0.9999 g/mL, which is very close
to its maximum density of 1.000 g/mL at 3.98°C. This slight difference is
crucial in natural ecosystems, particularly in bodies of water such as lakes
and oceans, where it influences stratification and mixing patterns. As wa-
ter warms to 25°C, its density decreases to 0.9971 g/mL, and it further
drops to 0.9584 g/mL at 100°C. This reduction in density as temperature
increases is why warm water rises above cooler water, contributing to the
circulation patterns that distribute nutrients and heat in aquatic environ-
ments. Interestingly, the solid form of water (ice) is less dense than its
liquid form, which is why ice floats. This anomaly has profound implica-
tions for aquatic life, as floating ice insulates the water below, allowing
organisms to survive in cold climates.
Viscosity is another key property of water, representing the resistance of
the liquid to flow. At 0°C, water’s viscosity is 1.79 cP (centipoise), making
it relatively thick compared to its viscosity at higher temperatures. As wa-
ter warms to 25°C, its viscosity decreases to 0.89 cP, and it further drops to
0.28 cP at 100°C. This reduction in viscosity with increasing temperature
explains why hot liquids flow more easily than cold ones. For instance, hot
molasses pours much faster than cold molasses, a phenomenon also observ-
able in water. This property is essential in various industrial processes,
where the flow rate of liquids can impact efficiency and effectiveness.
Surface tension is the force that causes the surface of a liquid to contract,
forming a ”skin” that can support light objects. At 0°C, water’s surface
tension is 75.6 dyn/cm. This high surface tension allows small insects like
water striders to skate across the surface of a pond without sinking. As the

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temperature increases to 25°C, surface tension decreases slightly to 72.5
dyn/cm, and it drops further to 58.9 dyn/cm at 100°C. The decrease in
surface tension at higher temperatures means that water’s cohesive forces
weaken, which can affect processes like capillary action in plants and the
behavior of water droplets.
Water’s dipole moment of 1.8546 D (Debye) reflects its polarity, a prop-
erty that is fundamental to its ability to dissolve many substances. The
polar nature of water molecules allows them to surround and interact with
various solutes, making water an excellent solvent for salts, sugars, acids,
and gases. This property is crucial in biological systems, where water acts
as a medium for chemical reactions and nutrient transport.
The specific heat of water, which is 1 cal/g/°C, is a measure of how much
heat energy is required to raise the temperature of water. Water’s high
specific heat capacity means it can absorb a significant amount of heat
with only a slight increase in temperature. This property is essential in
moderating Earth’s climate, as large bodies of water can absorb and store
heat, releasing it slowly and helping to regulate temperature extremes. It
also plays a critical role in the human body, where water helps maintain
a stable internal temperature.
Latent heat properties are also pivotal. The latent heat of fusion (80 cal
at 0°C) is the amount of energy required to convert 1 gram of ice into
liquid water without changing its temperature. Similarly, the latent heat
of vaporization (540 cal at 100°C) is the energy needed to convert 1 gram of
water into steam. These properties are important in understanding phase
changes and the energy required to drive these processes. For example,
the high latent heat of vaporization explains why sweating is an effective
cooling mechanism for the human body.
Finally, water’s boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm)
is 100°C. This boiling point is a critical reference in various scientific and
culinary practices. The boiling point can vary with altitude and atmo-
spheric pressure, affecting how water is used in different environments,
from cooking at high altitudes to industrial distillation processes.
The physical properties of water—density, viscosity, surface tension, dipole
moment, specific heat, latent heat, and boiling point—are all influenced
by temperature and have profound effects on both natural and engineered
systems. Understanding these properties helps explain the behavior of
water in different states and conditions, making it a cornerstone of sci-
entific inquiry and practical applications alike. Whether it’s supporting
life, moderating climate, or driving industrial processes, water’s unique
characteristics continue to make it an invaluable resource. (Shmeis, 2018)

• Explain the Concept of the ”Universal Solvent”:


When life gives you lemons, and you make lemonade, you’re using water’s
solvent properties to dissolve sugar. A solvent is a substance that dissolves
other compounds, called solutes, forming a solution. Water is an excellent
solvent due to its polarity and ability to form hydrogen bonds, making
it crucial for many chemical reactions in life, especially those in cells.
Water is often called the ”universal solvent” because it dissolves many

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substances, particularly ions and polar molecules. However, it doesn’t
dissolve nonpolar substances, like oils, well. This is due to the polarity of
water molecules, which have partial positive charges on hydrogen atoms
and a partial negative charge on oxygen.When water interacts with polar or
charged substances, it forms electrostatic interactions, leading to hydration
shells—a layer of water molecules around the solute. For example, when
table salt (NaCl) is added to water, it dissociates into Na and Cl ions, and
water molecules surround these ions, dispersing them in the solution.In
contrast, nonpolar substances like fats and oils do not form hydration
shells or dissolve in water due to the lack of partial charges, so they remain
separate, forming layers or droplets. (Solvent Properties of Water (Article)
— Khan Academy, n.d.)

• Analyze the Biological Significance:


Water, a vital chemical compound, exists in three states—liquid, gas, and
solid—all of which are essential to life. It constitutes 50–90 percent of liv-
ing organisms and covers nearly three-fourths of Earth’s surface, playing a
crucial role in sustaining life. Life originated and evolved in water, making
it the primary medium for all living beings. However, water distribution
is uneven globally, with some areas experiencing abundance and others
facing scarcity. The availability of liquid water, found in lakes, rivers,
reservoirs, wetlands, and groundwater, is vital for sustaining life.Water
expands when frozen, allowing ice to float, and its surface tension sup-
ports organisms that traverse on water. As a renewable resource, water
is essential for food, health, energy, and environmental sustainability, but
its management is crucial for sustainable development. Many regions, in-
cluding large countries like India, face water stress due to overuse and
environmental changes like deforestation and climate change. Despite be-
ing the origin of life, aquatic environments are challenging for organisms
due to their instability and harsh conditions, governed by factors like cold
temperatures, strong currents, and turbulent waters. The unique physical
and chemical properties of water shape aquatic environments and influence
the evolution of the organisms living within them. (Chakraborty, 2021)

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