QQuestionEarth Science
QuestionEarth Science
What are the four elements that make up most of the mass of the Earth's oceans?
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified formatting guidelines:
Step 2:: Identify the Major Elements
The four elements that make up most of the mass of the Earth's oceans are:
Step 3:
Hydrogen (H)
Step 4:
Oxygen (O)
Step 5:
Sodium (Na)
Step 6:
- These elements primarily compose water ($$H_{2}O$$) and dissolved salts (primarily sodium chloride, $$NaCl$$)
Chlorine (Cl) Explanation: - Water molecules are composed of hydrogen and oxygen - Dissolved salts contribute significant elemental mass, with sodium and chlorine being the primary ions
Step 7:: Chemical Composition Breakdown
- Sodium chloride ($$NaCl$$) contributes additional elemental mass
\frac{2}{3} hydrogen by number of atoms
Final Answer
The four elements that make up most of the mass of the Earth's oceans are hydrogen, oxygen, sodium, and chlorine.
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