What is the Difference Between Ocean and Lake?

The main differences between oceans and lakes are their size, location, water composition, and aquatic life. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Size and Location: Oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover about two-thirds of the Earth's surface, while lakes are smaller water bodies surrounded by land on all sides. Oceans are usually found surrounding continents, whereas lakes can be found in various locations and can be natural or man-made.
2. Water Composition: Oceans contain saltwater, with a high density of salt, and cover about 97% of the Earth's saltwater. Lakes, on the other hand, are usually freshwater sources, making up 0.3% of the Earth's freshwater. Some lakes can also be saltwater, like the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
3. Aquatic Life: Oceans are home to a large variety of aquatic species, such as octopuses, sharks, giant squid, and whales. Lakes have a smaller variety of aquatic species, such as ducks, fish, and plants. The ocean contains 99% of the living space on Earth, and 50-80% of life on Earth lives in saltwater.
4. Waves and Temperature: Oceans have larger waves and are colder than lakes. Lakes are generally calmer and can have warmer water temperatures.
5. Beaches: Ocean beaches contain sand, oysters, and starfish, while lake beaches typically contain pebbles and do not have sand, oysters, or starfish.

Comparative Table: Ocean vs Lake

Here is a table comparing the differences between oceans and lakes:

In summary, oceans are large, saltwater bodies that cover a significant portion of the Earth's surface and are connected to other water bodies, while lakes are smaller, freshwater bodies that are enclosed by land.