Which factor most strongly affects the viscosity of seawater?

Which factor most strongly affects the viscosity of seawater?

• A. Salinity
• B. Temperature
• C. Pressure
• D. Turbidity

Answer: (B)

Viscosity is a liquid’s resistance to flow. The temperature of seawater has the strongest influence on this property because higher temperatures increase molecular motion, making it easier for water molecules to slide past each other and thus lowering viscosity. Salinity does affect viscosity, but only slightly compared with temperature, so changing salt content won’t change flow resistance as much. Pressure in the ocean changes with depth, but its effect on viscosity is small since water is nearly incompressible and depth-related pressure doesn’t substantially slow or speed molecular movement. Turbidity relates to how clear the water is due to suspended particles and does not change the intrinsic flow resistance of the water itself. Therefore, temperature is the factor that most strongly affects seawater viscosity.

Viscosity is a liquid’s resistance to flow. The temperature of seawater has the strongest influence on this property because higher temperatures increase molecular motion, making it easier for water molecules to slide past each other and thus lowering viscosity. Salinity does affect viscosity, but only slightly compared with temperature, so changing salt content won’t change flow resistance as much. Pressure in the ocean changes with depth, but its effect on viscosity is small since water is nearly incompressible and depth-related pressure doesn’t substantially slow or speed molecular movement. Turbidity relates to how clear the water is due to suspended particles and does not change the intrinsic flow resistance of the water itself. Therefore, temperature is the factor that most strongly affects seawater viscosity.