If very warm and salty sea water is added on top of average seawater,
A) the warm salty water will float at the surface.
B) the warm salty water will sink to the bottom and stagnate.
C) the warm salty water will sink and move rapidly out of the area.
D) an overturn will begin.
E) The answer cannot be determined unless the densities of the warm salty water and average sea water are known.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The density of water, which determines whether it will float or sink, is affected by both temperature and salinity. Warm water is generally less dense than cold water, and salty water is denser than fresh water. However, the combined effects of increased temperature (which decreases density) and increased salinity (which increases density) on the warm salty water's density compared to the average seawater's density are not specified. Therefore, without knowing the specific densities of the warm salty water and the average seawater, it is not possible to determine the behavior of the warm salty water when added to average seawater.

If Very Warm and Salty Sea Water Is Added on Top