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deposit

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

In chemistry, a deposit is a substance that is left behind when a solution cools or evaporates. This can happen when a solution is saturated, which means that it cannot dissolve any more of the substance. The excess substance will then form a deposit.

Here are some examples of deposits in chemistry:

  • Salt deposits: Salt deposits can form when seawater evaporates.
  • Mineral deposits: Mineral deposits can form when solutions containing minerals cool or evaporate.
  • Organic deposits: Organic deposits can form when solutions containing organic matter cool or evaporate.

Deposits can be used to extract valuable materials. For example, salt deposits can be mined for salt, and mineral deposits can be mined for metals.

How can the word be used?

The chemical reaction deposited a white powder on the surface of the solution.

deposit

Different forms of the word

Noun: deposit (plural: deposits).

Adjective: deposited.

Verb: to deposit.

Etymology

The word "deposit" comes from the Latin word "depositum", which means "something put down" or "something left in trust". The word "depositum" is derived from the verb "deponere", which means "to put down" or "to lay down".

Question

Write a sentence which gives an example of a deposit being left on a surface.

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Describe the process of sediment deposition and its role in forming various geological features. Provide specific examples to illustrate your answer.

Answer:

  • Sediment deposition is a crucial geological process involving the accumulation of loose particles, such as sand, silt, and clay, onto the Earth's surface. These sediments are transported by various agents, including wind, water, and ice. Once the energy of these transporting agents decreases, the sediments settle and deposit.
  • One example of sediment deposition is the formation of river deltas. When rivers meet an area of slower-moving water, like a lake or sea, the sediments carried by the river are deposited, creating delta landforms. For instance, the Nile River Delta in Egypt has been formed over centuries by the sediment deposition of the Nile River into the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Another example is the formation of sedimentary rocks. As layers of sediment accumulate and undergo compaction and cementation, they transform into sedimentary rocks. The iconic rock formations in places like the Grand Canyon are a result of sediment deposition and subsequent lithification.

In conclusion, sediment deposition plays a vital role in shaping various geological features and landscapes over time.