Why is the ocean salty but rivers and lakes aren't?
The ocean is salty enough that you can't drink it, but the rivers that flow into it are fresh water. Where does all the salt in the ocean come from? Why doesn't the salt make rivers salty too? Is the ocean getting saltier over time? Why are some lakes salty?
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2 Answers
The honest answer is that scientists don't fully understand this yet. We have good models that make accurate predictions, but the 'why' underneath is still an active area of research. Anyone who tells you they have the complete answer is oversimplifying.
Scientists love this kind of question because it's how real discoveries start. 'That's funny...' is supposedly how a lot of breakthroughs begin. Keep that curiosity — it's worth more than memorizing facts for a test.
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