Water surface
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The water surface is the interface between water and air . Light is refracted and reflected on it . The surface tension of water means that small, light, non- wetting objects can lie on the water surface even though they have a higher density than water.
Water waves can spread along the surface of the water and set it in motion.
The water surface of rivers and seas is an important habitat .
Physical Properties
The water surface forms an interface between the media air and water, which have different refractive indices . Depending on the angle of incidence , light is reflected and refracted in different proportions .
Due to the surface tension , which is caused by the bipolar attraction of the water molecules (see cohesion , hydrogen bond ), z. B. Move water striders on the water surface.
Objects with a lower density than water can float on the surface of the water.
Importance as living space
The transition between water and air is an important part of their habitat for flora and fauna . Many aquatic animals that have no gills , such as marine mammals , sea turtles or mosquito larvae , regularly return to the surface of the water to be there To take a breath.