Science Common Sense

1273 - What are the different components and properties of seawater.

Seawater is made up of lots of different things. Here's a breakdown:

Components:

1. Water (96.5%): This is the main part of seawater.
2. Salts (3.5%): Seawater contains different types of salts, like:
   • Sodium chloride (table salt)
   • Magnesium chloride
   • Calcium carbonate
3. Gases ( tiny amounts): Like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide
4. Other tiny things: Like tiny plants (phytoplankton), tiny animals (zooplankton), and dead stuff from plants and animals.

Properties:

1. Temperature: Seawater temperature can vary depending on where it is and how deep it is.
2. pH: Seawater is slightly alkaline (not too acidic or too basic).
3. Density: Seawater is denser than fresh water because of the salts in it.
4. Color: Seawater can appear blue, green, or murky, depending on the amount of tiny plants and animals in it.
5. Conductivity: Seawater conducts electricity because of the salts in it.

Remember, seawater is a complex mixture of lots of different things, and its properties can vary depending on where you are and how deep you are in the ocean!