OCEN 100 midterm

The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at 23 ½° relative to its orbital plane around the sun. This causes ?

the 6 month periods of light (or darkness) at the poles longer days around here in the summer higher summer temperatures the change in temperature and climate known as the seasons

T or F? Fresh water, such as that coming out of your kitchen faucet or running down a creek, does not have any salts dissolved in it.

False

T or F? Salty water, such as seawater, is water with tiny little crystals of salt floating in it.

False

T or F? Water vapor (steam) is denser than air. In other words, water vapor sinks in air.

False

Winter occurs in the same months in both the southern and northern hemisphere. T or F?

False

specific heat capacity

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1g of any substance by 1 degree celsius (1 calorie)

The intensity of solar radiation received at lower latitudes (near the equator) is ________ than that received at higher latitudes (near the poles).

greater

hydrogen bonds

hold adjacent water molecules together

Coriolis Effect

-results from rotation of the Earth about its axis. -zero at the equator and increases toward the north or south pole.

What is the average salinity of seawater?

35‰

If there is a net annual heat shortage (out > in) at the poles, and a net annual heat gain (in > out) at the equator, why doesn't the heat difference between the poles and equator increase over time?

Heat stored in warm ocean water at low latitudes is moved by ocean currents to high latitudes. Heat stored in water vapor at low latitudes is moved by winds to high latitudes.

pycnocline

The zone in the ocean where water density increases rapidly with depth

T or F ?The latent heat of seawater is different than the latent heat of pure water due to the dissolved solids and gases present.

True

T or F? Higher heat capacity of water causes the ocean to experience only a small difference in temperature between day and night.

True

T or F? Once ice warms to 0° C, the continued input of heat does not result in an increase in temperature until all the ice has melted.

True

T or F? The polar nature of the water molecule aids in its "universal solvent" capabilities

True

T or F? The salinity of surface water varies seasonally at the poles due to the formation and melting of sea ice.

True

T or F? Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air.

True

ions

atoms that have a net electrical charge because they have gained or lost electrons

describe the conservative constituents of seawater

conservative constituents have long residence times, and their ratios to each other are constant

cohesion

the tendency for water to stick to other water molecules

The term salinity refers to

the total amount of dissolved solids in the ocean