GLY150: INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY University of North Carolina Wilmington

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Lecture Outline

Physical Properties of Water

I. Water Molecule

• Single Molecule
  • Two Hydrogen atoms, One Oxygen atom
    • Covalent Bonds
  • Dipolar
• Attraction Between Molecules
  • Hydrogen Bonds
    • Electrostatic forces
  •  Cohesion
    • Surface Tension
  • Adhesive forces
    • Capillarity
• Universal Solvent
  • Hydration

II.  Thermal Properties of Water

• Heat vs Temperature

• Celsius Scale
  • Melting/Freezing Point of water , 0°C
  • Boiling/Condensation Point of water , 100°C

• States
  • solid
  • liquid
  • gas (vapor)
• Heat Capacity (specific heat) of Water
• Latent heat
  • Melting(fusion)
  • Vaporization
  • Evaporation
• Oceans as Moderator of Global Climate

III. Density

• Mass per unit volume g/cm3
  • Changes with temperature
    • Temperature of maximum density
  • Changes with Salinity
  • Changes with Pressure

III. Light

• Electromagnetic spectrum
  • Visible portion of spectrum
• Penetration in water
  • Wavelength
  • Absorption
  • Scattering

IV.  Sound

• Speed in water
  • Changes with Temperature
  • Changes with Salinity
  • Changes with Pressure
• Refraction of sound
  • SOFAR Channel
    • ATOC

Some helpful links relevant to these lectures:
Sea Surface Temperatures
ATOC Home Page

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