Author Question: What is Forchhammer's principle? Give examples of the evidence which allowed Georg Forchhammer to ... (Read 87 times)

nenivikky · **on:** Aug 22, 2018

What is Forchhammer's principle? Give examples of the evidence which allowed Georg Forchhammer
to develop this principle. How do residence times provide a foundation for this principl What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is the general behavior of pH in seawater? What affect can pH levels at various depths? What will be an ideal response?

Liddy · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS:Answer
should include:
The Forchhammer principle is known as the principle of constant proportions. Georg
Forchhammer realized that the ratio of major dissolved solids were constant in various
samples of seawater.
There is approximately 55.05 of chloride ions found in high and low salinity waters.
He looked at samples from the Northern Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean to measure these
ratios.
William Ditmar was able to provide more evidence for this principle as he analyzed
samples taken in the HMS Challenger.
Constituents that have residence times longer than it takes for the ocean to mix assures a
thorough mixing. They become evenly distributed throughout the ocean.

Answer to Question 2

ANS:Answer
should include:
Seawater has an average pH of 8.0. In areas consistent with this pH, the dominate carbon
dioxide based ion is bicarbonate. Carbonic acid dominates at lower pH levels. Carbonate
ions are common at high pH.
The pH level at the surface can be heavily impacted by warm, productive waters. Areas
that have rapid rates of photosynthesis occurring have higher pH levels around 8.5. This
is because the plants are using the carbon dioxide present in the water very quickly.
These areas have higher levels of carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate.
Middles depths have higher levels of carbon dioxide. This is the result of animal
respiration and the subsequent decay of those animals' remains. The higher levels of
carbon dioxide makes the water more acidic.
The deep ocean can drop to a pH of 7.0 because bacteria consume oxygen and produce
hydrogen sulfide.