OCE test 2

Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of _______ to the plane of the ecliptic:

23.5°

(Gray wave picture) The wavelength is labeled with the number:

3

T/F: A maritime polar air mass is likely to be dry and cold.

False

T/F: A shallow-water wave must form in water depth less than 100 meters.

False

T/F: A storm surge might form in association with a seafloor avalanche

False

T/F: An iceberg is a variety of sea ice.

False

T/F: At high latitudes, abundant precipitation and runoff from melting of freshwater icebergs both increase salinity.

False

T/F: Cool, dense air causes low pressure at the surface, whereas warm, less dense air causes high pressure.

False

T/F: Deep ocean water does not travel across the equator.

False

T/F: Greater temperature fluctuations are seen in coastal areas due to the marine effect.

False

T/F: In distillation, saltwater is highly pressurized to drive water molecules through a membrane to remove salts.

False

T/F: Internal waves are formed by the movement of water of different densities along an air-water interface.

False

T/F: Processes that decrease seawater salinity include evaporation and sea ice formation.

False

T/F: Rogue waves are generated by destructive interference patterns of ocean swells.

False

T/F: Salinity refers to all of the solid materials in seawater including dissolved and suspended substances.

False

T/F: Surface currents affect about 90% of the world's ocean water.

False

T/F: Surface or wind-driven currents move water primarily in a vertical direction in the ocean.

False

T/F: The Gulf Stream moves water away from the equator; the Benguela Current moves some of this same water back toward the equator.

False

T/F: The West Wind Drift occurs at 60°N around the Arctic Circle

False

T/F: The densest ocean water is North Atlantic Deep Water.

False

T/F: The density of seawater is slightly lower than the density pure water.

False

T/F: The maximum Coriolis effect occurs at the equator due to slower rotational velocity compared to higher latitudes.

False

T/F: The place traced by Earth's orbit is called the vernal equinox.

False

T/F: The speed of a shallow-water wave is a function of wave period.

False

T/F: The trade winds can be found between 30° and 60°N and S latitudes.

False

T/F: Tropical cyclones derive their energy from the water's high latent heat of fusion

False

T/F: Within the troposphere, the atmosphere gets warmer with increasing altitude.

False

An indirect method of measuring ocean current is the use of __________.

Radar altimeters

The states of matter in which water exists is primarily determined by:

Temperature

T/F: Independent of the actual salinity, the ratios or proportions of the major dissolved constituents of seawater such as chloride, sodium, and magnesium are relatively constant.

True

T/F: As a whole, the pH of the ocean is slightly alkaline.

True

T/F: Chlorinity, which is the weight of the chloride ion of a water sample, can be used to calculate salinity.

True

T/F: Deep ocean currents often move cold, dense water away from the poles.

True

T/F: Deep ocean water can be enriched in oxygen when it is mixed with surface water.

True

T/F: Deep ocean water masses have characteristic temperatures and salinities.

True

T/F: Deep-water waves move faster than shallow water waves because they are not slowed by friction with the ocean bottom.

True

T/F: Downwelling may be the result of winds blowing parallel to a coastline or the convergence of surface currents.

True

T/F: Dynamic topography can be used to determine current direction and velocity.

True

T/F: Except for the water itself, the chloride ion is the most abundant constituent in seawater.

True

T/F: In the northern hemisphere, Ekman transport pushes surface water to the right of the wind direction.

True

T/F: Monsoons are seasonal pressure systems that develop at lower latitudes over continents, which cause changes in seasonal winds and precipitation patterns.

True

T/F: The angle at which direct sunlight strikes the ocean's surface is important in determining the amount of solar energy that is absorbed.

True

T/F: The density of seawater is affected by salinity and temperature.

True

T/F: The heat capacity of liquid water is 1 calorie per gram per degree C.

True

T/F: The large atmospheric circulation cells that occur between the equator and 30° latitude in each hemisphere are called Hadley cells.

True

T/F: The latent heat of vaporization of water is larger than the latent heat of melting.

True

T/F: Water is one of the few substances that exists naturally on Earth in all three states of matter (ice, water, and water vapor).

True

T/F: Water molecules exhibit strong cohesion.

True

T/F: Wave energy is focused on headlands by wave refraction.

True

T/F: Western boundary currents such as the Gulf Stream transport warm water from the tropics towards higher latitudes.

True

T/F: Wind speed, duration, and fetch are the three conditions necessary to produce a fully developed sea.

True

The celerity (speed) of a deep-water wave with a wavelength of 9 meters, relative to that of a deep-water wave with a wavelength of 1 meter, will be ______________.

faster

The height of a wave depends upon:

fetch, wind duration, and wind speed.

During winter months, monsoon winds over the Indian Ocean:

flow from land to sea and are dry.

The strength of a hurricane stems from water's:

latent heat of condensation.

Tropic of Cancer

located at 23.5° N latitude

what generates most ocean waves

movement of air across the *air-water interface*

upwelling

movement of water from the bottom to the top of the water column

If a surfer wishes to have a really long ride, what type of wave should he or she look for?

spilling breakers

ratio of wave height to wavelength at which waves break

steepness = 1:7

A wave will begin to break when:

steepness = 1:7.

The largest loss of life from a hurricane is usually due to:

storm surge.

In the southern hemisphere, the direction of Ekman transport is always:

to the left of the wind direction.

All the following are true of the movement of Earth's atmosphere except :

warm air is less dense than cool air so it tends to sink toward the Earth's surface.

Kuroshio Current

warm current, northern hemisphere, temperate latitudes

The speed of a shallow-water wave is proportional to:

water *depth*.

What fault movement beneath the ocean is more likely to create a tsunami—vertical or a horizontal movement?

*A vertical movement* is more likely to cause a tsunami. This movement causes a sudden change in the entire water column. Horizontal movements do not create water displacement.

What tools does the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) use in creating tsunami warnings?

*PTWC uses ocean buoys,* deep-ocean pressure sensors, and satellites to detect tsunamis.

internal wave

*movement of water* of different densities along a water-water interface

Gulf Stream

*northern hemisphere*, temperate latitudes, warm current

Records indicate that the ocean is warming faster in the Arctic polar regions than elsewhere. If that continues, a possible consequence could be __________.

*slowing of deep ocean circulation*, resulting in lower oxygen levels in deep water

orbital waves

*waves at the ocean surface* involving longitudinal and transverse waves

Rogue waves tend to occur:

*where storm waves move against* strong surface currents.

During a visit to the beach, you get in a small rubber raft and paddle out beyond the surf zone. Tiring, you stop and take a rest. Describe the movement of your raft beyond the surf zone.

-*The raft moves in a circle*, and it returns to essentially the same place. -The raft's *net movement* is not toward the shore compared to the surf zone.

Of the following offshore ocean conditions, which one(s) would likely produce spilling breakers?

-A *gently* sloping rocky bottom -A *gently* sloping sandy bottom

Of the following statements about the density of seawater, which is/are true?

-An increase in salinity increases seawater density. -A decrease in temperature increases seawater density.

If you were an explorer stranded in the Arctic Ocean, what method(s) could you use for creating fresh drinking water?

-BOIL seawater; catch and condense the water vapor. -TAKE seawater and freeze and melt it several times to purify it. -HEAT sea ice that formed a long time ago. -CATCH and melt fresh falling snow.

Of the following processes, which INCREASES the salinity of seawater?

-Evaporation -the formation of sea ice

Of the following statements about ocean waves, which one(s) describe wave steepness?

-If wave steepness ever exceeds a *1:7 ratio*, then the wave breaks. -*Wave steepness is defined as* wave height divided by wavelength.

Of the following gyres, which one(s) flow in a counterclockwise direction?

-Indian Ocean Subtropical Gyre -South Pacific Subtropical Gyre -Northern Hemisphere Subpolar Gyres -South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre

Of the following statements about the transfer of heat on Earth, which is/are true?

-Ocean currents move warm water from the tropics to higher latitudes. -Air currents move warmer air from the tropics to higher latitudes. -Water vapor in the air carries latent heat with it, which is released in other areas.

Which of the following techniques can be used to measure the salinity of seawater?

-Pass electrical current through the water. -Evaporate the water sample, and weigh the amount of solids that precipitate out.

Of the following surface currents, which one(s) flow from south to north?

-Peru Current -Kuroshio Current -the Gulf Stream

Of the following properties of water, which is/are caused by the unusual geometry of water molecules?

-Snowflakes form six-sided crystals. -Water molecules form hydrogen bonds. -Water has the ability to dissolve just about anything. -Water molecules have polarity. -Water has cohesion and surface tension. ** EVERYTHING**

The West Wind Drift (Antarctic Circumpolar Current) is a part of which of the following subtropical gyres?

-South Pacific Subtropical Gyre -Indian Ocean Subtropical Gyre -South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre

Of the following statements about ocean waves, which one(s) describe wave period?

-The inverse of wave frequency -*The time it takes* for one full wavelength to pass a given point

Of the following statements about the pH of seawater, which is/are true?

-The pH of seawater averages about 8.1 and ranges from about 8.0 to 8.3. -In a natural state, the carbonate buffering system protects the ocean from getting too acidic or too alkaline. -Additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is getting into the ocean, overwhelming the natural carbonate buffering system.

Of the following statements about tsunami, which is/are true?

-The tsunami *warning system* uses seismic waves and deep-ocean pressure sensors to detect tsunami. -Tsunami are *undetectable* by ships in the open ocean. -Tsunami have a very *long wavelength*, so they travel at very high speeds (equivalent to the speed of a jet airplane). -*At the coast*, a tsunami looks like a suddenly occurring high or low tide, which is why they are misnamed "tidal waves."

Of the following statements about deep-ocean currents, which is/are true?

-The volume of water involved in the downward movement of deep-ocean currents is equal to the flow of 100 Amazon-sized rivers. -Deep-ocean currents contain water that is high in oxygen. -Deep-ocean currents are important regulators of global climate. -Deep-ocean circulation is often referred to as thermohaline flow. -Deep-ocean currents are initiated by downwelling of cold, dense water near Antarctica and in the North Atlantic Ocean. ** everything except deep ocean currents travel faster **

Of the following statements about seawater properties in high and low latitudes, which is/are true?

-There is a thermocline in low latitudes. -There is a halocline in low latitudes. -There is a halocline in high latitudes. -There is a pycnocline in low latitudes. (both about halocline, low of the other two)

Of the following statements about the density of freshwater and the formation of ice, which is/are true?

-Water's maximum density is at 4ºC. -Water at 2ºC is less dense than it is at 4ºC. -As the temperature of water decreases from 4ºC to 0ºC, its density decreases. -Ice is less dense than liquid water, which is why ice floats. ** everything except 20 to 4 **

Of the following physical changes that occur to waves as they move into shallow water, which is/are true?

-Wave steepness increases. -Wavelength decreases. -The waves touch bottom. -Wave height increases. **Everything except Wave speed increases**

Of the following surface currents, which one(s) flow generally from west to east?

-West Wind Drift -North Pacific Current -Equatorial Counter Current

Of the following statements about water's latent heat and changes in state, which is/are true?

-When water vapor condenses and forms a liquid, its latent heat of condensation releases heat to the environment; this is what powers hurricanes. -When water evaporates, its latent heat of evaporation absorbs heat. -In the vapor state, there are no weak (hydrogen) bonds between water molecules. -In the solid state, all water molecules are connected by weak (hydrogen) bonds. -Latent heat allows water to transfer energy from one place to another. ** everything except "in all three states" **

Of the following locations, where would upwelling be expected to occur?

-Where there is a *sharp* bend in a coastline -In areas of *diverging* surface currents, such as along the equator -In areas of *offshore* winds -Where there is a shallowly submerged *sea floor* obstruction, such as a tablemount

Surface winds in the tropics generally blow _______________.

-from the east -toward the equator

Of the following characteristics or features, which is/are associated with middle latitude storms, such as those that originate in the North Pacific Ocean between 40 and 60 degrees latitude?

-the prevailing westerlies -contrasting air masses -the jet stream -the polar front ** everything except movement from east to west **

Of the following characteristics or features, which is/are generally related to the formation or movement of hurricanes?

-water's latent heat of condensation -warm ocean water -warm air with lots of water vapor -the trade winds ** everything except latitude of 0 degrees **

(gray earth pic) The polar front is labeled number:

1

Calculate the speed (S) in meters per second for a deep-water wave with a wavelength (L) of 351 meters and a period (T) of 15 seconds.

23.4 m/s

The actual movement of surface water due to Ekman transport in the Northern Hemisphere is about __________.

45° to the right of wind direction

(gray earth pic) The area of the globe (latitude) that is characterized by falling air masses and little precipitation is labeled number:

6

Which does not belong? A. Agulhas Current B. Benguela Current C. California Current D. Canary Current E. West Australian Current

A- Agulhas Current

Which does not belong? A. California Current B. Canary Current C. Gulf Stream D. North Atlantic Current E. North Equatorial Current in the Atlantic Ocean

A- California Current

Which does not belong? A. Gulf of Alaska B. Indian C. North Atlantic D. South Atlantic E. South Pacific

A- Gulf of Alaska

Which does not belong? A. doldrums B. northeast trade winds C. polar easterlies D. southeast trade winds E. westerlies

A- doldrums

The apparent deflection of air masses to the right or left (depending on latitude) as they move from one latitude to another is called the:

Coriolis effect

Compared to an eastern boundary current in a gyre, which of the following statements is true for a western boundary current?

All the above statements are true of western boundary currents.

Of the following statements about the tilt of Earth's axis, which one is true?

An increase in Earth's tilt would cause colder winters and warmer summers.

The arrangement of water masses in the southern Atlantic Ocean from the surface to the bottom is:

Antarctic Intermediate Water, North Atlantic Deep Water, Antarctic Bottom Water.

All the following statements regarding pH are true except :

As a whole, the pH of the ocean is slightly acidic.

Which of the following is a western boundary current?

Brazil Current

Which does not belong? A. maximum sustained winds B. minimum central pressure C. sea surface salinity D. storm surge E. storm diameter

C- Sea surface salinity

Which does not belong? A. desalination B. solar distillation C. pycnocline D. electrolysis E. reverse osmosis

C- pycnocline

The amount of energy that is necessary to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree C is the definition of:

Calorie

Which does not belong? A. thermohaline circulation B. density-driven circulation C. Antarctic Bottom Water D. Kuroshio Current E. North Atlantic Deep Water

D- Kuroshio Current

Which does not belong? A. longitudinal B. orbital C. progressive D. spilling E. transverse

D- spilling

Which does not belong? A. ecliptic B. vernal equinox C. autumnal equinox D. westerlies E. summer solstice

D- westerlies

Which does not belong? A. sodium ion B. calcium ion C. potassium ion D. hydrogen ion E. magnesium ion

D. - Hydrogen Ion

Which does not belong? A. temperature B. salinity C. thermocline D. pycnocline E. distillation

E- distillation

Which does not belong? A. Australian drought B. decreased fish stock in coastal Peru C. flooding rains in southeastern U.S. D. Peruvian upwelling stops E. strong trade winds

E- strong trade winds

All the following processes decrease seawater salinity except :

Evaporation

Which process in the hydrologic cycle is most effective at increasing ocean salinity on a global scale?

Evaporation

Which of the following is not an eastern boundary current?

Gulf stream

Which property of water causes coastal communities to have only moderate differences in daily highs and lows when compared to inland communities?

High heat capacity

In comparison to most other liquids, the heat capacity of liquid water is:

Higher than other liquids

A beaker contains a mixture of ice and pure liquid water at 0oC. What happens to the temperature of the liquid water as heat is added?

It remains constant until the ice melts, and then it begins to rise.

Identify the mismatched pair from the choices below.

Labrador Current, Humboldt Current

Of the following situations involving orthogonals, which one involves the highest energy? Select only one answer.

Orthogonals that *become more closely spaced* as they approach the shore

The intensity of tropical cyclones is measured by meteorologists using the __________ scale.

Saffir-Simpson

The deepest and most dense water mass in the world ocean is formed in the __________________.

Southern Ocean

What are the beach slope and energy characteristics of surging breakers?

Surging breakers occur where the ocean bottom has an *abrupt slope change*. This results in wave energy being compressed in a *shorter distance*.

Why do ionic compounds dissolve readily in water?

The electrostatic attraction between ions is weakened by the *polarity of water*.

Which of the following statements is correct?

The longer the wave, the faster the wave travels.

Of the following statements about the doldrums, which is/are true?

This is also known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The doldrums are the boundary between the northeast trade winds and the southeast trade winds. There is usually little wind but a lot of rain associated with the doldrums. The doldrums are found as a global belt along the equator. The doldrums are an area of low atmospheric pressure. ** EVERYTHING **

Based on the equations for determining the speed of shallow-water waves, which one of the following variables is necessary to determine the speed of shallow-water waves? Select only one answer.

Water depth

What physical changes occur to a wave's wave speed (S), wavelength (L), height (H), and wave steepness (H/L) as the wave moves across shoaling water to break on the shore?

Wave speed (S) decreases, wavelength (L) decreases, height (H) increases, and wave steepness (H/L) increases.

During a strong El Niño event, the news media might be expected to cover __________.

a tropical cyclone in Hawaii or Tahiti

Where are internal waves most likely to form?

along areas of rapidly changing density, such as a *pycnocline*

The principal reason that oil and water do not mix, even when shaken, is that oil molecules __________.

are nonpolar whereas water molecules are polar

basic building blocks of all matter

atoms

The first wave that forms when the wind begins to blow across the ocean surface is a:

capillary wave.

When a meander from the Gulf Stream pinches off and isolates a body of water within the North Atlantic gyre, the body of water is called a:

cold core ring.

California Current

cold current, northern hemisphere, temperate latitudes

Canary Current

cold current, northern hemisphere, temperate latitudes

West Wind Drift

cold current, polar latitudes, southern hemisphere

Benguela Current

cold current, southern hemisphere, temperate latitudes

A cold air mass moving into an area occupied by relatively warm air is called a/an:

cold front

rising and sinking air masses moving in a circular fashion

convection cell

bonds that involve the sharing of electrons between atoms

covalent bonds

precipitation

decreases seawater salinity

river input

decreases seawater salinity

As a wave approaches shore, its characteristics change by _____________________.

decreasing speed, increasing steepness

Deep ocean currents are driven primarily by ________ .

density differences

The worldwide effects of El Niño include all the following except :

drought in the U.S. Gulf coastal states.

change in state from liquid to gas

evaporation

We would expect the salinity of surface waters to be higher in regions where __________.

evaporation is much greater than precipitation

In general the restoring force for wind-generated waves is:

gravity.

layer of the ocean that experiences a rapid change in salinity with depth

halocline

Water can pile up a short distance above a container's rim due to:

high surface tension

(map of globe) When ice forms from seawater, the remaining seawater will have a:

higher salinity.

As a wave begins to feel bottom near a shoreline, its wave height:

increases and its wavelength decreases

high temperature

increases seawater salinity

sea ice formation

increases seawater salinity

The doldrums refer to the same region as the:

inter-tropical convergence zone (ITC zone).

The surface tension of water:

is relatively high

A disadvantage shared by wave, solar and wind energy is that ___________________________.

it is not available on demand, and there currently is no viable way to store the energy

Ekman transport

net water movement to the left or right of the direction of the wind

We might expect to encounter brackish ocean surface water __________.

off the coast of Washington and Oregon

The time between two successive waves is called the:

period.

Waves that are breaking along the shore and are forming curling crests over air pockets are called:

plunging breakers.

Westerlies

prevailing wind pattern at temperate latitudes

Trade winds

prevailing wind pattern at tropical latitudes

Submarines sometimes ride out heavy storms in deep water by submerging. That is a practical application of utilizing the ____________________.

principle of decreasing orbital motion with depth

A layer in the ocean where a rapid change in ocean density occurs with a change in depth is called a:

pycnocline

layer of the ocean that experiences a rapid change in density with depth

pycnocline

Earth's atmosphere is heated primarily by __________.

re-radiation of solar energy from Earth's surface back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation

A tsunami is considered to be a:

shallow water wave.

Constructive interference results in larger waves whereas destructive interference produces:

smaller waves

A rapid change in ocean temperature with a change in depth occurs in the:

thermocline

Sources of deep water in the ocean include all of the following except:

subtropical convergences

A tsunami may result from:

tectonic activity on the seafloor.

All are true of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current except :

the Antarctic Circumpolar Current contributes to the development of Antarctic bottom water in the *Weddell Sea*.

Deep ocean current movement is also known as __________.

thermohaline flow

In comparison to wind energy, ocean currents can generate more clean, renewable energy because __________.

the density of water is greater than that of air

The fetch refers to:

the distance over which the wind blows without interruption.

By measuring only chlorinity (concentration of the chloride ion, Cl-) in seawater, we can then calculate the total salinity. This is an application of _________.

the principle of constant proportions

The Principle of Constant Proportions states that:

the relative concentrations of the major ions in seawater does not change.

The Coriolis effect is caused by __________.

the rotation of the earth

The lowermost portion of the atmosphere where most weather occurs is called the:

troposphere

lowermost portion of Earth's atmosphere where most weather occurs

troposphere

The diameter of a wave orbital at the surface is equal to:

wave height

Waves converge on headlands due to:

wave refraction.

"Whitecaps" form when _____________________.

wave steepness reaches a *ratio of 1:7*

The speed of a deep-water wave is proportional to:

wavelength

Wave speed is equal to:

wavelength divided by period.

deep-water wave speed (S)

wavelength/period

The largest wind-generated waves tend to be associated with the:

westerlies

The temperate regions are characterized by:

westerly winds

Warm core rings and cold core rings are associated with __________.

western boundary currents

Upwelling occurs in all the following locations except

where deep-ocean currents are formed.

Surface ocean currents are driven primarily by ________ and modified by ________.

wind; the Coriolis effect and land

Most ocean waves form as a result of:

winds blowing across the ocean surface.