question

Acid

answer

A substance that increases the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

question

Brackish

answer

Having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink

question

Condense

answer

To change from a gas to a liquid

question

Continental Effect

answer

areas that are less affected by the sea and have a greater range of temperature differences (both daily and yearly)

question

Covalent Bond

answer

sharing a pair of electrons between atoms in a molecule

question

Desalination

answer

A process of removing salt from ocean water

question

Evaporation

answer

The change of a liquid to a gas

question

Halocline

answer

a layer of water in which the salinity changes rapidly with changes in depth

question

Hydrogen Bond

answer

weak attraction of a slightly positive hydrogen atom to a slightly negative portion of another molecule

question

Hypersaline

answer

waters that are highly or excessively saline

question

Latent Heat

answer

Heat given off when matter changes state

question

Marine effect

answer

A quality of regions that are dominated by the moderating effect of the ocean and that exhibit a smaller range of minimum and maximum temperatures, both daily and annually, than do continental stations.

question

Molecule

answer

2 or more atoms held together by covalent bonds

question

pH scale

answer

measurement system used to indicate the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in solution; ranges from 0 to 14

question

Polarity

answer

A lack of electrical symmetry in a molecule. Charge differences on opposite ends of a structure.

question

Precipitation

answer

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.

question

Pycnocline

answer

a layer of water in which there is a rapid change of density with depth

question

Residence time

answer

The average time a given molecule of water will stay in a given water source

question

Reverse osmosis

answer

A desalinization process that involves forcing salt-water through a membrane permeable to water but not to salt

question

salinity

answer

A measure of the amount of dissolved salts in a given amount of liquid

question

Temperature

answer

A measure of the average energy of motion of the particles of a substance.

question

Thermal contraction

answer

When heat is removed from a substance and the volume decreases.

question

Thermocline

answer

A layer in a large body of water, such as a lake, that sharply separates regions differing in temperature, so that the temperature gradient across the layer is abrupt.

question

albedo

answer

Fraction of solar radiation reaching earth that is reflected back into space

question

climate

answer

Overall weather in an area over a long period of time

question

cold front

answer

A front where cold air moves in under a warm air mass.

question

coriolis effect

answer

Causes moving air and water to turn left in the southern hemisphere and turn right in the northern hemisphere due to Earth's hemisphere and tilt.

question

cyclone

answer

storm with heavy rains and high winds that blow in circular pattern around an area of low atmospheric pressure

question

doldrums

answer

A frequently windless area near the Equator

question

equinox

answer

Two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when the length of day and night are approximately equal

question

horse latitudes

answer

are regions of high pressue and gentle winds at about 30 degrees north and south latitude

question

jet stream

answer

A narrow belt of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere

question

land breeze

answer

Movement of air from land to sea at night, created when cooler, denser air from the land forces up warmer air over the sea

question

polar front

answer

The boundary at which air flowing away from the polar regions collides with the warmer air from the lower latitudes

question

polar high

answer

Zone of high atmospheric pressure at high latitudes

question

saffit-simpson scale

answer

A scale of a hurricane intensity that divides tropical cyclones into categories based on wind speed and damage.

question

storm surge

answer

A dome of water that sweeps across the coast where a hurricane lands

question

sub polar low

answer

low pressure located under the prevailing westerly and polar easterlies

question

subtropical high

answer

A belt of high pressure located in Australia, which pushes heavy subsiding air outward toward both north and south.

question

summer solstice

answer

Day with the most hours of sunlight and the fewest hours of darkness

question

temperate

answer

Mild, moderate

question

trade winds

answer

Prevailing winds that blow northeast from 30 degrees north latitude to the equator and that blow southeast from 30 degrees south latitude to the equator.

question

tropic of cancer

answer

a line of latitude about 23 degrees North of the equator

question

tropic of capricorn

answer

23 1/2 Degrees South of the Equator

question

tropical

answer

A warm air mass that forms in the tropics and has low air pressure

question

tropical cyclone

answer

If the wind exceeds 120 kilometers (74mph)

question

troposphere

answer

the lowest atmospheric layer

question

warm front

answer

A front where warm air moves over cold air and brings drizzly rain and then are followed by warm and clear weather.

question

weather

answer

Condition of earths atmosphere at a particular time and place

question

westerly wind belt

answer

in Northern hemisphere, blowing from the west, winds turn clockwise

question

winter solstice

answer

December 22, when the sun is at its southernmost point

question

coastal downwelling

answer

wind blows water toward coastline, surface water forced downward, gases and nutrients go to deeper waters

question

coastal upwelling

answer

Upwelling adjacent to a coast, usually induced by wind

question

conveyer-belt circulation

answer

an integrated model combining deep thermohaline circulation and surface currents

question

downwelling

answer

is the movement of water from the surface to greater depths

question

ekman spiral

answer

a form of ocean circulation driven by wind where water moves in a spiral pattern from the surface to deeper layers, based on coriolis force.

question

el nino (ENSO)

answer

a warm ocean current that flows along the equator from the date line and south off the coast of Ecuador at Christmas time

question

gulf stream

answer

A well-defined current of relatively warm water that flows northward along the East Coast of the United States.

question

gyre

answer

the large, circular surface-current pattern found in each ocean

question

la nina

answer

"Normal" year, easterly trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West coast of South America.

question

monsoon

answer

A seasonal wind that usually brings moist air during the summer and dry air during the winter.

question

sargasso sea

answer

Huge floating seaweed in the North Atlantic

question

southern oscillation

answer

atmospheric pressure conditions corresponding to the periodic warming of El Nino and cooling of La Nina

question

surface current

answer

A horizontal movement of ocean water that is caused by wind and that occurs at or near the ocean's surface

question

thermohaline circualtion

answer

a density driven flow of water, generated by differences in salinity or temp

question

upwelling

answer

The movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface

question

Beaufort wind scale

answer

the tool we use to classify the name of the wind and describe the wind speed

question

circular orbital motion

answer

as a wave travels, the water passes the energy along by moving in a circle; decreases with depth

question

constructive interference

answer

The interference that occurs when two waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude

question

orbital wave

answer

a progressive wave in which particles of the medium move in closed circles

question

plunging breaker

answer

waves which occur on a beach with a moderately steep slope, curl over and form tunnel until they break

question

refraction

answer

Since waves in the ocean change speed as they approach shore, their change in direction can be attributed to ______.

question

shallow water wave

answer

a wave in water shallower that 1/20 its wavelength

question

spilling breaker

answer

Turbulent mass of air and water that runs down the front slope of the wave is at breaks; results from a gently sloped ocean floor

question

surging breaker

answer

A compressed breaking wave that builds up over a short distance and surges forward as it breaks. It is characteristic of abrupt beach slopes.

question

trough

answer

Lowest point of a wave

question

wave base

answer

The depth below the surface where the circular orbits become so small that movement is negligible. It is equal to one-half the wavelength

question

wave height

answer

The vertical distance from the crest of a wave to the trough

question

wave reflection

answer

a vertical barrier can reflect waves back into the ocean with little loss of energy

question

wavelength

answer

Horizontal distance between the crests

question

Explain how the geometry of the water molecule contributes to its polarity.

answer

Both H atoms on the same side of O atom. Magnet

question

Why is water considered a universal solvent?

answer

Because it can dissolve anything, unusual thermal properties, density

question

How does hydrogen bonding affect the thermal properties of water?

answer

high surface tension, high solubility of chemical compounds in water

question

Compare and contrast heat capacity and latent heat.

answer

heat capacity: affects earths climate, latent heat: hidden heat from the change in state

question

What gives water many of its unique properties?

answer

dipolar nature, high surface tension, high solubility of chemical compounds

question

How do the unique thermal properties of water affect global climate?

answer

Heat capacity

question

How does the density of water change with temperature? Why is ice less dense than liquid water?

answer

Density increases as temperature decreases (thermal contraction).

question

Define salinity and what is the average salinity of sea water?

answer

total amount of dissolved solids in water including gases; avg salinity is 35 o/oo.

question

Discuss the distribution of Earth's water and how it moves through the hydrologic cycle.

answer

land precipitation to runoff to evaporation to total evap.

question

Discuss the implications of residence time for substances dissolved in sea water.

answer

Ions with long residence time have high concentration in seawater (sodium). Ions with short residence time are in low concentration in seawater.

question

Distinguish between and acid and an alkaline (base). What is the average pH of ocean water and explain how it is maintained?

answer

acid = low pH level alkaline = big pH level. pH avg = 8.1. Buffering system keeps the ocean from becoming too acidic or too basic

question

Discuss salinity variations with latitude and depth.

answer

low salinity @ surface; salinity increases with depth

question

Discuss how density varies with ocean depth. What is the most important factor influencing density of sea water?

answer

Temperature increases density decreases

question

Differentiate between a halocline, pycnocline, and thermocline.

answer

Mixed surface layer - about thermocline; Upper water - thermocline and pycnolcline; Deep water - below thermocline; halo cline - separates ocean layers of different salinity.

question

Discuss the importance of desalination in producing fresh water. Where is it used?

answer

provides fresh water for homes, business, agriculture

question

What is the cause of Earth's season? Describe the equinoxes and solstices?

answer

Earths axis; summer solstice @ tropic of cancer. Winter solstice @ tropic of capricorn

question

What are the effects of differential albedo (ice/snow; land/water) on climate.

answer

(snow) Light colored surfaces = reflect more (land) Dark colored surfaces = absorb more

question

Discuss how convection cells are created in the atmosphere. How does air density affect surface pressure? What is the cause of wind?

answer

density differences; Warm, less dense air rises - low surface pressure and cool, denser air sinks - high surface pressure

question

Discuss the effects of a rotating Earth on wind and water movement. How does the Coriolis Effect differ with latitude? What is the effect of this difference on idealized pressure belts and wind systems?

answer

Earths wind is affected buy the Coriolis effect. the Coriolis effect decreases as latitude decreases.

question

Describe the location, direction of air movement, and corresponding air pressure for : subtropical highs, polar highs, equatorial lows, and subpolar lows.

answer

Subtropical highs - 30 degrees latitude north or south of the equator; Polar highs -90 degrees latitude north or south of the equator; Equatorial low - equator; Subpolar lows - 60 degrees latitude

question

Distinguish between doldrums, horse latitudes, and the polar front and give location of each.

answer

Doldrums - along equator; Intertropical Congergence Zone (ITCZ) - at equator. Horse Latitudes - 30 degrees. Polar front - 60 degrees

question

Differentiate between weather and climate.

answer

Weather - conditions of the atmosphere at a given time and place. Climate- long term average of the weather; Ocean influences earths weather and climate patterns

question

Describe the relationship between air pressure and wind direction in cyclonic and anticyclonic flow.

answer

Cyclone - low pressure system - flow counterclockwise In N. Hemisphere; clockwise in S. Hemisphere; Anticyclone - High pressure system - flow clockwise in N. Hemisphere; counterclockwise in S. Hemisphere

question

How do land and sea breezes form?

answer

Sea breeze - from ocean to land (cold air is heavier it sinks); Land breeze - from land to ocean (warm air rises)

question

What is an air mass and how are they classified? Name and describe some examples.

answer

large volumes of air with distinct properties, classified on source region (indicates temperature); Polar (Arctic) or Tropical and nature of surface in source region (indicates moisture content)

question

How do storms form? Which air always rises? Why?

answer

disturbances with strong winds and precipitation. warm air because its less dense than cold air.

question

How do hurricanes form? What powers a hurricane?

answer

air rises, low pressure deepens, wind speed increases; powered by latent heat,

question

Name the Earth's climate zones and describe climate patterns in each.

answer

o Equatorial - low pressure, rising air, weak winds, doldrums o Tropical- N. & S. of equator to Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn; strong winds, little precipitation, rough seas o Subtropical- high pressure, descending air, weak winds, sluggish currents o Temperate- strong westerly winds, severe storms, severe storms are common o Subpolar- extensive precipitation, summer sea ice o Polar- high pressure, sea ice most of year

question

Why are coastal regions optimal locations for developing wind power?

answer

Because they are a vast potential for clean, renewable power

question

What is the difference between surface and deep ocean currents?

answer

Surface are wind driven and are primarily horizontal. Deep ocean currents are density driven and run horizontal and vertical.

question

List the 5 subtropical gyres.

answer

North Atlantic - Columbus Gyre, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian Ocean

question

Explain the formation of equatorial currents.

answer

(N or S) - travel westward along equator

question

Give the physical characteristics of western boundary currents. Give an example of one.

answer

fast, narrow, deep, warm; gulf stream

question

Give the physical characteristics of eastern boundary currents.

answer

cold, slow, shallow, wide; canary current

question

Describe the Ekman Spiral. What are its implications for ocean water circulation?

answer

surface currents move at angle to wind; describes speed and direction of seawater flow @ different depths; In N. Hemisphere each successive layer moves increasingly to right (Coriolis Effect) because the effect of friction.

question

How do ocean currents influence adjoining land masses?

answer

Warm currents associated with warm, humid air at coast; Cool currents associated with cool, dry air at coast

question

Differentiate between upwelling and downwelling

answer

upwellling: high biological productivity while downwelling is not

question

Describe the causes of upwelling and name some places where upwelling would occur.

answer

cold, deep nutrient rich water to surface; california

question

What is unique about the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (West Wind Drift)?

answer

Only current to completely circle Earth; moves most water

question

What are some characteristics and climate effects of the Gulf Stream?

answer

moderates climates along east coast of US as well as those in Northern Europe

question

Describe the water temperature of the north and south moving currents in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre?

answer

north moving currents warm, south moving currents are cool

question

Detail the relationship between global wind belts in tropical areas and seasonal variation in precipitation and temperature patterns (monsoons).

answer

Winter - Northeast monsoon (land to sea)- high pressure; dry weather on land. Summer- Southwest monsoon- (sea to land) low pressure; heavy rains on land

question

Differentiate between the characteristics and effects of El Nino and La Nina (ENSO).

answer

el nino: downwelling, weaker trade winds, high pressure in eastern pacific weakens. La nina: upwelling, strong trade winds, shallow thermocline, cooler seawater.

question

Describe the global effects of severe El Ninos.

answer

flooding, droughts, tropical storms, etc.

question

Explain the importance of thermohaline circulation and how it is driven by water density.

answer

links major surface and deep water currents. wind cooled surface water, evaporation/sea ice have increased salinity. this increases surface water density = sink.

question

Why do deep currents form only in high latitude regions?

answer

because cool water sinks, due to temperature and density (thermohaline circulation)

question

Differentiate between surface ocean waves and internal waves.

answer

Surface waves are wind generated and internal waves form along water to water interface with water of different densities

question

Explain the circular orbital motion of ocean water in relation to the movement of the waveform.

answer

...

question

What controls the speed of deep water waves?

answer

wavelength; longer wavelength=faster wave

question

Define a shallow water wave. What controls the speed of a shallow water wave?

answer

Depth < 1/20 of wavelength, Waves touch bottom which interferes with orbital motion, Speed is controlled by water depth

question

Discuss the development of wind generated waves. Which factors affect wave energy?

answer

Capillary waves progress to gravity waves as wind increases and more energy is transferred to ocean

question

What is a Rogue Wave?

answer

constructive interference

question

Discuss the changes that waves undergo as they move from deep water to shallow water to shoreline.

answer

decreases: wave speed, wavelength. Increases: heigh, steepness.

question

Name 3 types of breakers and discuss which would be best for surfing.

answer

spilling, plunging (best for surfing), surging

question

Which U.S. coast has better surfing conditions and why?

answer

U.S. West coast, plunging: steep beach slope

question

Explain wave refraction and how it is related to energy distribution along shorelines. What is the net effect of wave refraction on irregular coast lines?

answer

bending of waves, energy concentration at headlands dispersed along bays. net effect is straighten irregular coasts

question

What is wave reflection?

answer

Bouncing back of wave energy when waves strike barrier

question

Define tsunami and describe the forces that produce these waves.

answer

Seismic Sea Wave, underwater: landslide, volcano collapse, eruption, meteorite impact.

question

Why is it more likely that tsunami would be generated along faults with vertical rather than horizontal movement?

answer

Changes in height of the sea floor are the most likely to create the tsunami.

question

Discuss the characteristics of tsunami waves.

answer

long wavelengths, behaves as shallow water wave, fast in open ocean

question

Where are tsunamis most likely to occur?

answer

Pacific Ocean (ring of fire)

question

Individual water molecules have _______ bonds. Why do hydrogen bonds form between neighboring water molecules?

answer

Covalent. The oxygen in the water molecule is partially negative and hydrogen in the water is partially positive.

question

Water molecules are an effected solvent of ionic compounds such as sodium chloride (NaCl) due to their ________ .

answer

Polarity (dipolar nature)

question

What is difference between heat and temperature?

answer

Temperature=direct measure of avg kinetic energy of molecules that make up a substance. Heat is the energy transfer from 1 body to another.

question

How does the heat capacity of water compare with that other substances? Describe the effect it has on climate.

answer

Water has an abnormally high heat capacity. It effects climate because it is able to store a large amount of heat, meaning that there is less heat in the atmosphere. Hence, the weather is cooler.

question

What is salinity?

answer

Salinity is the total amount of solid material dissolved in water.

question

What is the average salinity of seawater in parts per thousand?

answer

35ppt

question

Discuss marine effect vs. continental effect.

answer

...

question

Name and discuss the process that increase and decrease surface ocean salinity.

answer

Decreasing: adding fresh water; precipitation, runoff, melting icebergs, melting sea ice. Increasing: removing water; evaporation, sea ice formation

question

Sea water density is a function of _______.

answer

Temperature

question

Explain why ice is less dense than water.

answer

hydrogen bonding.

question

Describe the ways in which dissolved components are added and removed from sea water.

answer

Ions are added to ocean water by: river discharge, volcanic eruptions, hydrothermal activity. Removed: adsorption, precipitation, sea spray, biologic processes, hydrothermal activity.

question

Explain the difference between an acid and an alkali (base) substance.

answer

Acid releases (H+) ions when dissolved in water. Alkaline (base) releases a hydroxide ion in water.

question

How would you describe the average pH of the oceans?

answer

The avg pH is 8.1 (slightly alkaline/basic)

question

Explain why there is such a wide variation of surface salinity but such a narrow range of salinity at depth?

answer

Surface water can experience wide variation in salinity levels compared with those in deeper waters due to that any fresh water in the area will rise to the surface and remain there due to lower density.

question

If stream is the main source of dissolved substances in sea water why do the components of the two (streams and sea water) not match each other more closely?

answer

Because substances such as sodium have long residence times and become concentrated.

question

________ is the most important factor in influencing sea water density.

answer

Temperature

question

_______ water has the highest density.

answer

Cold

question

______ is the condition of the atmosphere at a given time and place while ________ is a long term average.

answer

Weather, climate

question

The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is __________ and the second most abundant gas in the atmosphere is ________.

answer

Nitrogen, oxygen

question

________, less dense air rises while _______, denser air sinks.

answer

Warm, cool

question

The lowest most portion of earths atmosphere is called _______.

answer

Troposphere

question

Is earth's atmosphere heated form above or below?

answer

Below

question

Name the process that heats earths lower atmosphere and explain how it works.

answer

Greenhouse effect. The suns radiation warms the troposphere, the ground warms air adjacent to the surface through convection.

question

Describe the Coriolis Effect in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

answer

The deflection of objects (airplanes). Northern hemisphere goes to the right. Southern Hemisphere goes to the left

question

Explain how wind is generated.

answer

differences in temperatures and pressures, caused by air moving from regions of high pressure to low regions of unequal heating on the earths surface.

question

Why does the earth have seasons?

answer

The earths axis is tilted.

question

_______ bonds form in a water molecule due to electron sharing.

answer

Covalent

question

_______ bonds form between water molecules due to polarity of the water molecules.

answer

Hydrogen

question

Name 3 unique properties of water:

answer

Universal solvent, high surface tension, high heat capacity

question

The unique properties of water can be explained by the water molecules unusual _________ which give it a dipole nature (polarity).

answer

Geometry

question

Sodium becomes concentrated in sea water due to its long ________________.

answer

Residence time

question

Why do coastal areas have more moderate temperatures than inland areas?

answer

The marine effect: oceans high heat capacity moderates coastal temperatures

question

Seasons are the result of the ______ of Earths axis/

answer

tilt

question

The Arctic Circle receives 24 hours a day light on _______ which is known as the __________ in the northern hemisphere.

answer

June 21, Summer Solstice

question

______ is less dense so it tends to _____ while _____ air is more dense so it tends to _____.

answer

Warm - Rise. Cold - Sink

question

The most abundant gas in the air (78%) is ________. ________ is about 21% of the atmosphere.

answer

Nitrogen, Oxygen

question

The lowest layer in the atmosphere is the ___________. It is heated from below/above.

answer

Troposphere, below

question

___________ atmospheric pressure at the surface is associated with sinking air and clear, fair weather.

answer

High

question

___________ atmospheric pressure is associated with rising air clouds and precipitation.

answer

Low

question

Describe mT air mass. What does mT stand for?

answer

mT=maritime tropical (warm/wet)

question

What does cP stand for.

answer

cold/dry polar

question

The ___________ gulf stream is an example of a western boundary current which carries warm/cool (circle one) water.

answer

warm

question

Western boundary currents can be described as ___________, ___________, and ___________.

answer

Fast, narrow, deep

question

Describe the effect of the gulf stream on climate.

answer

Moderates temperatures by bringing warm/humid air to the U.S. east and north coast. Also moderates temperatures in Europe.

question

___________ is the movement of cold, deep nutrient water to the surface.

answer

upwelling.

question

Name 4 types of upwelling.

answer

Coastal, Sea Floor, Equatorial, Bend in the coastline

question

Upwelling is associated with high/low (circle) productivity which means abundance of microscopes algae.

answer

High biological productivity

question

Surface ocean currents are driven by

answer

wind (surface waves as well)_

question

The seasonal monsoons in the Indian Ocean are the result of ___________ heating of land and ocean creating pressure differences

answer

Differential

question

During the winter months ___________ pressure from over land causes winds to blow from land to sea resulting in rainy/dry (circle) weather conditions over in india.

answer

high, dry

question

During the summer months ___________ pressure over the ocean causes winds to blow tom sea to land resulting in rainy/dry (circle) weather conditions over india.

answer

Low, rainy

question

Ocean waves have a ___________ orbital motion.

answer

circular

question

surface ocean waves are ___________ generated.

answer

wind

question

Wave refraction results in wave energy being concentrated on the ___________ and dispersed in the ___________.

answer

headland, base

question

Tsunamis are large destructive waves usually generated by undersea ___________.

answer

earthquakes

question

Tsunamis are considered to be ___________ waves due to their long wave lengths.

answer

shallow-watered

question

The speed of deep water waves is controlled by ___________. The speed of shallow water waves is controlled by ___________.

answer

water length/water depth.

question

What are rogue waves and how do they form?

answer

Severe waves that combine together like constructive interference. 2 trophs combine and double in size.

question

Covalent bonds form due to

answer

electron sharing

question

hydrogen bonds form due to

answer

polarity

question

which is stronger hydrogen/covalent.?

answer

covalent

question

What are the advantages of offshore wind farms in the North Sea compared to offshore wind farm sin Florida Coast?

answer

the north sea is in a zone of low pressure with continuous high winds. when winds form they are offshore and not seen, north sea = cold, no tourism

question

What are some negative environmental factors that could inhibit the development of offshore wind farms?

answer

building costs, maintenance cost, line loss, damage in the storm, sea floor damage, and ugly

question

What are categories of hurricane damage and which is responsible for most hurricane deaths?

answer

storm surge - 90%

question

Distinguish between warm and cold fronts. Which air always rises? Why?

answer

Cold front - cold air replacing warm air (severe weather); Warm front - warm air replacing cold air **warmer less dense air always rises over denser colder air**

question

What could happen to ocean water pH as a result of increased atmospheric CO2?

answer

Too much acid will go into the ocean and dissolve shells and kill marine life.

question

Alkaline

answer

A substance that increases the hydroxide ion concentration of a solution.

question

Colder air moving over significantly warmer ocean surface water may produce ___________. (a) a cold front (b) a warm front (c) changes in coastal wind direction (d) increased coastal precipitation (e) sea smoke

answer

Increased coastal precipitation

question

What accounts for all the unique properties of water?

answer

Its unique geometry causes the water molecule to have a resulting electrical polarity.

question

Which type of bond holds adjacent water molecules together?

answer

hydrogen bond

question

Each hydrogen atom shares its single electron with electrons in the oxygen atom. Which type of bond is this?

answer

covalent bond

question

The fact that ice is less dense than water—which causes ice to float—is due to ___________.

answer

the molecular packing of bulky ice crystals

question

The Red Sea has ____________ water because of large amounts of ______________.

answer

hypersaline; evaporation

question

The Baltic Sea has ____________ because of ______________.

answer

brackish water; large amounts of runoff

question

Where is the salinity of ocean surface waters HIGHEST?

answer

about 25 degrees north or south of the equator

question

There is no pycnocline in _______ latitude regions because _____________.

answer

high-; the water column is uniformly cold and dense

question

In water vapor, there is no interconnectedness of individual water molecules (no hydrogen bonds).

answer

True

question

In the high latitudes, there is a prominent and well-developed thermocline.

answer

False

question

The density of seawater increases with ________ in temperature and ________ in salinity.

answer

a decrease; an increase

question

The "midnight Sun" is a phenomenon observed in Northern Hemisphere polar regions only when the Sun is directly above _______________.

answer

the Tropic of Cancer

question

At the time of the vernal equinox, the Sun is directly overhead at ______________.

answer

the equator

question

Globally, air descends (sinks toward the surface) at ______________.

answer

30 degrees latitude and 90 degrees latitude (the poles)

question

Areas of high atmospheric pressure (at Earth's surface) generally experience what kind of conditions?

answer

sinking air, with dry, clear weather

question

Legend holds that the "horse latitudes" derived their name from sailors who, in desperation, abandoned horses overboard because the sailors were ______________.

answer

stuck at the boundary between the trades and the westerlies.

question

Rising warm air is associated with regions of ________ atmospheric pressure caused by thermal ________.

answer

low; expansion

question

Which of the following statements about the physical characteristics of waves is FALSE?

answer

The depth at which orbital motion ceases is called the still water level.

question

Circular orbital motion in waves becomes negligible (dies out) at depths greater than ____________.

answer

half the wave's wavelength

question

In deep water, a wave with a wavelength of 60 meters and a wave height of 6 meters will have orbital motion down to a depth of ___________.

answer

30 meters

question

Which of the following is NOT a physical change that a wave experiences as the wave reaches shallow water?

answer

The wavelength increases.

question

What is wave refraction?

answer

The bending of waves as they approach a coastline

question

Of the following factors, all increase the amount of energy in waves EXCEPT __________.

answer

increasing water vapor content in the air

question

Internal waves are usually found in areas where there is a strong, permanent pycnocline.

answer

True

question

Waves always travel in the same direction as the prevailing current, even far offshore.

answer

False

question

In shallow-water waves, wave speed increases with increased water depth; in deep-water waves, wave speed increases with increased wavelength.

answer

True

Oceanography Exam Test – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards