Water - Long Answer Questions
The process by which water continually changes its form and circulates between oceans, atmosphere and land. (Evaporation -> Condensation -> Precipitation -> Runoff).
An artificial enclosure for keeping small house plants. The earth is like a terrarium where the same water circulates for centuries.
Oceans (97.3% Saline), Ice-caps (2.0%), Groundwater (0.68%), Lakes (0.009%), Interior seas (0.009%), Atmosphere (0.0019%), Rivers (0.0001%). Fresh water is only ~3%.
Because most of it is Saline (salty) in oceans. Fresh water is a very small fraction and much of it is locked in ice caps.
The amount of salt in grams present in 1000 grams of water. Average ocean salinity is 35 parts per thousand.
Unlike calm ponds, ocean water keeps moving due to Waves, Tides, and Currents.
When the water on the surface of the ocean rises and falls alternately. Formed by wind scraping across the ocean surface.
Harbour wave. Huge waves caused by earthquake, volcanic eruption or underwater landslides. They can be 15m to 150m high.
The rhythmic rise and fall of ocean water twice in a day. Caused by the strong gravitational pull exerted by the sun and the moon on the earth.
Spring Tide: Sun, Moon, Earth in a line (Full/New Moon) -> Highest tides. Neap Tide: Sun and Moon at right angles (Quarter Moon) -> Lowest tides.
High tides help navigation (raise water level at ports) and bring more fish closer to shore.
Streams of water flowing constantly on the ocean surface in definite directions. Can be Warm or Cold.
Warm: Originate near equator and move to poles (e.g., Gulf Stream). Cold: Originate near poles and move to equator (e.g., Labrador Current).
Warm currents bring warm temperatures to land surface. Cold currents cool the land.
Where warm and cold currents meet (e.g., Japan coast, Newfoundland). It provides food for fish. But it also creates foggy weather.
Caused by earthquake in Sumatra. Devastated Indian coast. Indira Point got submerged. 10,000+ died.
Falling of moisture in the form of rain, snow, fog, sleet, or hailstorm.
Access to clean water is a major problem. Pollution and wastage are reducing available fresh water.
The Dead Sea in Israel has salinity of 340 grams per litre. Swimmers can float in it because salt makes it dense.
Celebrated on 22 March to attract attention to water conservation.
Water - Important Facts
Jal is water.
71% of Earth is water.
Only 3% is fresh water.
Ice caps hold 2% water.
Rivers hold very tiny fraction (0.0001%).
Water cycle preserves water quantity.
Water is absolutely necessary for life.
Thirsty humans cannot drink salt water.
Salinity is saltiness.
Dead Sea is very salty.
Waves are caused by wind.
Stronger wind = bigger waves.
Tsunami means Harbour Wave (Japanese).
Tsunami 2004 speed was 800km/h.
Indira Point in Andaman submerged in 2004.
Tides are gravitational effects.
Spring tides are high.
Neap tides are low.
High tides help ships enter harbour.
Tides can produce electricity.
Ocean currents are rivers in ocean.
warm currents originate at Equator.
Cold currents originate at Poles.
Gulf Stream is a warm current.
Labrador Current is a cold current.
Meeting of currents = Foggy weather.
Meeting of currents = Good fishing.
March 22 is World Water Day.
Water pollution is a threat.
Sewage pollutes water.
Industrial waste pollutes water.
Ganga-Brahmaputra water is shared.
Cauvery water dispute exists.
Water is used for agriculture.
Water is used for industries.
Drinking water is Potable water.
Rainwater harvesting saves water.
Drip irrigation saves water.
Sprinklers save water.
Water molecules are H2O.
Evaporation turns water to gas.
Condensation turns gas to liquid.
Clouds are tiny water droplets.
Groundwater is tapped by wells.
Glaciers are sources of rivers.
Amazon is the largest river.
Nile is the longest river.
Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean.
Water - Important Dates/Terms
World Water Day
Tsunami in Indian Ocean