Hydrology BC ENV 3025

Water in Everyday Life

Questions, to be discussed in groups

  1. What happens in a 10 m deep Canadian Lake from October 1 to May 1? Look at the same question if the density of water would decrease with temperature from -10 to 100°C. Plot temperature vs. depth for each month for both cases. Assume that the temperature in the lake on October 1 is a uniform 10°C.
  2. What are the differences between heating systems using an open flame, hot air, steam, and hot water? How do the three systems work? Discuss the differences in terms of efficiency, latent/sensible heat. What are the analogues in the climate system of the Earth?
  3. Can you think of any cases in your home or in nature where adhesion and cohesion (surface tension) of water are important? How would these processes be affected if the surface tension of water were much lower?
  4. Simply by knowing that water has unusually high boiling and melting points, can you explain how you can increase the alcohol content of a self-made liquor at low and at high temperature?