Question

An increase in seawater density can be caused by a ________ in temperature or a/an ________ in salinity

Answer 1

Answer:

decrease; an increase

Explanation:

Density is a physical quantity which depends upon two factors mass and volume. Density has a direct relationship with mass while an indirect relationship with volume i.e. if mass will increase then density will also increase but if volume will increase then density will decrease.

The formula for density is mentioned as under:

Density = mass/volume.

Here, in this question the reason why density of sea water will increase if temperature decreases is because a decrease in temperature will result into less movement and therefore lesser space between water molecules and lesser space indicates less volume. Since, volume and density has inverse relationship so less volume will be responsible for increase in density.

When it comes to salinity, an increase in salinity will result into the higher density of sea water. When salts dissolve into the water they add to the mass/weight of the water i.e. mass of the water increases with increase in salinity. Since, mass and density have direct relationship, an increase in salinity will increase the density of water.

Answer 2

An increase in seawater density can be caused by a decrease in temperature or an increase in salinity.

Further Explanation:

Density  

• Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume.

• Mathematically;

$Density = \frac{mass}{Volume}$

• Density is measured in g/cm³ or kg/m³

Temperature and density

• The density varies inversely proportional to temperature of water. This is because when the temperature of water increases, then the space between water molecules increases and therefore the density decreases.
• If the temperature of water decreases its density will increase up to a certain point.
• This explains why warm water floats while cold water sinks since warm water is less denser than cold water.

Salinity and density

• The density of water is directly proportional to its salinity.
• Salinity refers to the amount of salt in water.
• As density increases the amounts of salts in the water increases while a decrease in density causes a decrease in salinity.
• Addition of freshwater on sea water decreases the salinity and density of sea water.
• Evaporation on the other hand increases salinity and density of sea water.

Therefore; An increase in seawater density can be caused by a decrease in temperature or an increase in salinity.

Keywords: Density, salinity, temperature

Learn more about:

• Density of ocean water: https://brainly.com/question/3871881
• Properties influencing sea water: https://brainly.com/question/8975184
• Salinity of sea water: https://brainly.com/question/8975184
• Effect of temperature on the density of sea water: https://brainly.com/question/1561308

Level: High school

Subject: Geography

Topic: Ocean and temperature