Day Three: God creates the Mayim for Earth's Oceans and Seas
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The Science of Water (Mayim) Did you know that God created the water molecule with the unique ability to expand and become less dense ( lighter ) when it freezes into solid ice ? On the other hand, most substances in the universe become more dense and heavier (they shrink) in their solid state than in their liquid state . Water reaches its maximum density at 4 C (40 F). As water cools further and freezes into ice, the water molecule actually expands and becomes less dense. The big question now is w hy did God create the water molecule with th e special ability to become less dense in the
frozen state and float as ice on the surface of the polar ocean s instead of sinking to the bottom ? There are 3 main reasons: • Sea ice is white , so it reflects most sunlight back to space. This reflectivity, known as " albedo ," helps keep the poles cold by limiting their heat absorption. • Sea ice acts as insulation keeping the warmers waters of the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean from escaping into the colder air above . • By regulating polar heat, sea ice also affects weather worldwide and helps moderate global climate . That's because the oceans and air act as heat engines , moving heat from the equator to the poles and cool air from the poles toward the equator in a constant quest fo r keeping earth's temperatures in balance .
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