AY Honors/Water Science/Answer Key

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1. Making use of household products build a 3-D model of the water atom. Explain its chemical composition.

The water molecule is formed when two Hydrogen (H) are united via a covalent bond to one Oxygen atom (O); H₂O. There are many ways to create models. The photos below provide some ideas.

Using toothpicks and candy

Using craft sticks and paper

2. List and describe (in writing or orally) some characteristics of water that distinguish it from nearly all elements?

Water is odorless, tasteless and colorless. Water has a remarkable ability to resists rapid changes in temperature. As a result, water-cools and warms up more slowly than air. This serves as a clear advantage for marine life that requires a more stable body temperature, creating a more desirable environment in which to live.

Another remarkable ability of water is that it expands when it freezes. This characteristic of water gives it the ability to sustain marine life during the winter seasons, after the water has frozen on top. The expansion of water also causes crystals to form. This gives water the ability to kill cells since the crystals can break cells apart. Freezing water can also causes rocks to break after the water expands from inside.

4. Describe, illustrate or represent the difference between clouds, snow and rain.

Clouds, snow, and rain are all made up of some form of water. A cloud is made of tiny water droplets and/or ice crystals, a snowflake is an aggregate of many ice crystals, and rain is just liquid water.

5. Through photos or diagrams identify and list the five main types of precipitation.

The main types of precipitation are:

1. Rain
2. Snow
3. Sleet
4. Freezing rain
5. Hail

6. What is the boiling and freezing point of water?

The boiling point of water is 212 °F or 99.98 °C. The freezing point of water is 32 °F or 0.0 °C.

7. Water Trivia: The following questions can be utilized in different forms to promote learning and understanding about water. Questions can be adapted for Jeopardy, Bingo, and Wheel of Fortune among many others. Creativity is strongly encouraged.

• a. What is the estimated weight of one gallon/4 liters of water?

A US liquid gallon of water weighs about 8.34 pounds or 3.78 kilograms at 62 °F (17 °C), making it about 16.6% lighter than the imperial gallon.

• b. The human body consists of how much water?

The Human body is approximately 65% water Body Water

• c. What is the largest ocean on Earth?

The Pacific Ocean

• d. What is the largest lake in the World?

The Caspian Sea List of Lakes by Area

• e. What is the largest lake in North America?

Lake Superior Lakes by Area

• f. Can sound travel faster through water or air?

It travels faster through water Speed of sound

• g. What is the deepest point in the world’s oceans?

The Mariana Trench

• h. What is the longest river on Earth?

The Nile River

• i. How long can a person survive without water?

Three days

• j. What makes water hard?

The presence of Calcium and Magnesium in the water

• k. What uses the most water in households?
• l. What is the word used to describe how much water vapor is in the air?
• m. What is the name of the canal that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean?
• n. Which conducts heat more efficiently – water or air?
• o. How much water do you need to drink daily?
• p. What chemical is added to water to kill harmful germs?
• q. How many gallons/liters of water are used in a 5-minute shower?
• r. What is the longest navigable river in your country?
• s. T or F: Water is often called the universal solvent because many things can be dissolved in it.

8. Answer the following:

a. How much of the earth is covered by water?

Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface. It is vital for all known forms of life.

b. How much of the earth’s water is fresh water?

Only 2.5% of this water is freshwater, and 98.8% of that water is in ice (excepting ice in clouds) and groundwater. Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and an even smaller amount of the Earth's freshwater (0.003%) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products. A greater quantity of water is found in the earth's interior.

c. Where is water found on earth?

On Earth, 96.5% of the planet's crust water is found in seas and oceans, 1.7% in groundwater, 1.7% in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland, a small fraction in other large water bodies, and 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of ice and liquid water suspended in air), and precipitation.

9. Select three of the following and discuss at least one way water is used.

a. Agriculture

b. Washing

c. Drinking

d. Fire Extinction

e. Transportation

10. What is a body of water? Through photos, diagrams or sketches, be able to illustrate the following bodies of water below, naming one that can be found in your city, town, county or state. (if possible)

a. River

b. Lake

c. Sea

d. Ocean

e. Rapid

f. Canal

g. Creek

h. Basin

i. Glacier

j. Gulf

k. Harbor

l. Lagoon

m. Reservoir

References

Wikipedia article on Water