ESS 130 Midterm #2 Review

Winter beaches __________. (a) are narrower than summer beaches due to high-energy waves during the winter (b) are wider than summer beaches due to low-energy waves during the winter (c) contain more sediment than summer beaches due to high-energy waves during the winter (d) contain less sediment than summer beaches due to low-energy waves during the winter (e) are characterized by most of the swash soaking into the beach

(a) are narrower than summer beaches due to high-energy waves during the winter

(True or False) Salinity is the total amount of dissolved in organic solids in water.

False

The trade winds blow in which of the following directions in the Northern Hemisphere? a) From northeast to southwest b) From northwest to southeast c) From southeast to northwest d) From southwest to northeast

a) From northeast to southwest

Which of the following best defines heat capacity? a) The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 degree Celsius. b) The direct measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance's molecules. c) The energy needed to break the intermolecular bonds that hold molecules in place. d) The energy transfer from one body to another due to a difference in temperature. e) Weak interactions that become significant when molecules are very close together.

a) The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 degree celsius.

Winds blowing out of the north toward the south in the southern hemisphere will appear to _____________. a) be deflected toward the east b) be deflected toward the west c) be deflected toward the north d) travel in a straight line e) circulate counterclockwise

a) be deflected toward the east

An example of a coastal plain estuary is the ___________. a) chesapeake bay b) laguna madre c) monterey bay d) pamlico sound e) san francisco bay

a) chesapeake bay

Waves converge on headlands due to _____________. a) constructive interference b) destructive interference c) wave diffraction d) wave reflection e) wave refraction

a) constructive interference

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 _________. a) coriolis effect b) cyclonic effect c) ekman spiral d) hadley cell e) saftir-simpson scale

a) coriolis effect

What is a tidal range? a) difference between high and low tides b) time between high tides c) time between two successive overhead moons d) difference between gravitational and centrifugal force

a) difference between high and low tides

The observation that ships and icebergs in the northern hemisphere float to the right of the wind direction is an example of which of the following? a) eastern intensification b) Ekman transport c) equatorial upwelling d) geostrophic current e) western intensification

a) eastern intensification

Water flowing out of an enclosed basin due to the tides is called a/an __________________. a) ebb current b) flood current c) neap tide d) spring tide e) tidal bore

a) ebb current

Which of the following processes increases sea water salinity? a) evaporation b) iceberg melting c) precipitation d) river runoff e) sea ice melting

a) evaporation

The property of water that accounts for the ability of liquid water to absorb large amounts of heat and change relatively little in temperature is called _________. a) high heat capacity b) latent heat of evaporation c) freezing coefficient d) potential heat

a) high heat capacity

The depth below the surface where the circular orbits become so small that the movement is negligible is called the _______________. a) wave base b) wave frequency c) wave height d) wave period e) waveform

a) wave base

The average salinity of the world's ocean is _______. a) 0.35% (3.5 ppt) b) 3.5% (35 ppt) c) 35% (350 ppt) d) 350% (3500 ppt)

b) 3.5% (35 ppt)

The trade winds occur in which of the following regions? a) equitorial (0 to 5 degrees) b) 5 to 30 degrees c) 30 to 60 degrees d) 60 to 90 degrees

b) 5 to 30 degrees

At what approximate temperature (in Celsius) is pure water the most dense? a) -10 degrees Celsius b) 0 degrees Celsius c) 4 degrees Celsius d) 10 degrees Celsius e) 100 degrees Celsius

c) 4 degrees Celsius

Why does ice float? a) As water freezes, it crystalizes and the molecules are further apart. b) As water freezes, air becomes trapped between the hydrogen bonds of water molecules. c) As water freezes, it takes up more hydrogen from the atmosphere, causing it to have a greater buoyancy. d) As water freezes, it takes up more oxygen from the atmosphere, causing it to have a greater buoyancy.

b) As water freezes, air becomes trapped between the hydrogen bonds of water molecules.

Which of the following statements about wetlands is incorrect? a) wetlands are home to a diverse assortment of plants and animals. b) Wetlands are inefficient at cleansing polluted water. c) wetlands are some of the most highly productive ecosystems on earth. d) wetlands provide enormous economic benefits. e) wetlands serve as stopover points for migrating birds.

b) Wetlands are inefficient at cleansing polluted water.

One major problem associated with the chesapeake bay due to increased human pressure is _________________. a) an increased salinity during particular times of the year b) an increase in nutrients resulting in more frequent kills of bottom-dwelling or benthic animals c) decreased tributary river flow due to increased water demand d) salinity fluctuations due to reduced inflow from rivers e) the removal of sediments behind hydroelectric dams

b) an increase in nutrients resulting in more frequent kills of bottom-dwelling or benthic animals

The amount of energy that is necessary to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius is the definition of ________. a) boiling point elevation b) calorie c) latent heat of condensation d) latent heat of evaporation e) thermal capacity

b) calorie

An estuary formed from a flooded glacial valley is called a _________. a) bar-built estuary b) coastal plain estuary c) fjord d) tectonic estuary e) vertically mixed estuary

b) coastal plain estuary

When viewed from above, tropical cyclones (e.g., hurricanes) rotate __________ in the northern hemisphere a) clockwise b) counterclockwise c) in either direction depending of the storm d) poleward e) toward the equator

b) counterclockwise

As a wave begins to feel bottom near a shoreline, its wave height ____________ and its wave length ____________. a) decreases, decreases b) decreases, increases c) increases, decreases d) increases, increases

b) decreases, increases

Deep ocean currents are driven primarily by _________ and caused by ________. a) density differences; the coriolis effect and land b) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature c) latitude; differences in salinity and land d) wind; the coriolis effect and land e) wind; gravity and density

b) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature

As the salinity of sea water increases, its ______________. a) density decreases b) density increases c) temperature increases d) temperature decreases

b) density increases

Which of the following statements concerning tides is correct? a) at perigee, tidal tangs are minimized . b) diurnal tides are a tidal pattern in which there is one high tide and one low tide in a lunar day. c) mixed tides are a tidal pattern in which there are two high and low tides daily of approximately equal tidal heights. d) neap tides occur when the solar tide and the lunar tides are additive, producing the highest high tide and lower low tides. e) semidiurnal tides are a tidal pattern in which there are two high tides and two low tides per lunar day, one high tide higher than the other.

b) diurnal tides are a tidal pattern in which there is one high tide and one low tide in a lunar day.

Water flowing into an enclosed basin due to the tides is called a/an _________________. a) ebb current b) flood current c) neap tide d) spring tide e) tidal bore

b) flood current

The prevailing westerly winds blow in which of the following directions in the Northern Hemisphere? a) from northeast to southwest b) from northwest to southeast c) from southeast to northwest d) from southwest to northeast

b) from northwest to southeast

The prevailing westerly winds blow in which of the following directions in the Southern Hemisphere? a) from northeast to southwest b) from northwest to southeast c) from southeast to northwest d) from southwest to northeast

b) from northwest to southeast

Which of the following are UNLIKELY to generate a tsunami? a) underwater slope failure b) hurricane wind c) volcanic collapse d) volcanic eruption e) tectonic activity on the seafloor

b) hurricane wind

Water molecule has a high heat capacity due to ________. a) covalent bonds b) hydrogen bonds c) metallic bonds d) ionic bonds

b) hydrogen bonds

Which of the following has caused an increase in the mortality of blue crab, oysters, and other bottom-dwelling animals in chesapeake bay since the early 1950s? a) an oil pipeline rupture and spill b) increased discharge of sewage and fertilizers c) increased maximum river flow in the spring d) large seasonal changes in salinity and temperature e) numerous drier years with less river runoff

b) increased discharge of sewage and fertilizers

A beaker contains a mixture of ice and pure liquid water at 0 degrees Celsuis. What happens to the temperature of the liquid water as heat is added? a) it immediately begins to rise slowly. b) it remains constant until the ice melts, and then it begins to rise. c) it rises rapidly as the ice melts. d) it rises slowly until it reaches 32 degrees celsius, and then it remains constant as the ice melts. e) the temperature pattern cannot be predicted.

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

If the side of Earth that faces the Moon experiences a high tide, then the opposite side of Earth that is opposite from the moon will have a __________. a) high tide b) low tide c) neap tide d) proxigean tide e) spring tide

b) low tide

Compared to an eastern boundary current in a gyre, which of the following statements is true for western boundary current? a) shallower current b) stronger current velocity c) warmer water d) wider current

b) stronger current velocity

The ocean is stratified with respect to ___________. a) pH and light transmission b) temperature and salinity c) the amount of dissolved oxygen d) the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide

b) temperature and salinity

Which of the following best explains why there is a difference between a lunar day and a solar day? a) during one earth rotation, the moon has continued orbiting earth. b) the moon must rotate an additional 50 minutes to catch up to earth. c) the solar day and lunar day are measured from different meridians.

b) the moon must rotate an additional 50 minutes to catch up to earth.

The El Nino Southern Oscillation can best be described as __________. a) relative changes between two different atmospheric pressure systems at high altitude. b) the relationship between sea surface temperature and changing atmospheric pressure c) tidal differences between coastal Peru and Darwin, Australia d) variation in wind speed over the pacific ocean e) wind speed and wind direction differences along the equator

b) the relationship between sea surface temperature and changing atmospheric pressure

The circular motion of water molecules extends to a depth that is equal to _______________. a) wave height/wavelength b) wave height/wave period c) wavelength/wave height d) wavelength/2 e) wavelength/20

b) wave height/wave period

Most ocean waves form as a result of __________. a) seismic events b) winds blowing across the ocean surface c) landslides d) density differences between water layers e) earth's rotation

b) winds blowing across the ocean surface

The prevailing westerlies occur in which of the following regions? a) equitorial (0 to 5 degrees) b) 5 to 30 degrees c) 30 to 60 degrees d) 60 to 90 degrees

c) 30 to 60 degrees

If a gust of wind blows from the North over a body of water, what direction will the surface current flow? a) The current will go in the same direction as the wind. b) The wind does not affect surface current on a body of water. c) Due to the Coriolis effect the surface current will move in a 45 degree angle from the wind direction. d) Surface current flow is only affected by tides.

c) Due to the Coriolis effect the surface current will move in a 45 degree angle from the wind direction.

What shape does a water molecule take when frozen? a) Circular b) Octagonal c) Hexagonal d) Spherical e) Cubic

c) Hexagonal

Which of the following statements is true about an Ekman Spiral? a) The net flow of a wind-driven surface current in the Northern Hemisphere will flow at about a 50 degree angle to the wind b) With increasing depth, each layer will move faster than the overlying layer of water. c) because of Ekman transport, at some frictional depth, water will be moving in the opposite direction from the wind. d) An Ekman spiral is not influenced by the Coriolis effect.

c) because of Ekman transport, at some frictional depth, water will be moving in the opposite direction from the wind.

When liquid water gets below 4 degrees celsius, it ____________________. a) forms a gas by breaking all of its hydrogen bonds b) behaves like all other liquids and increases in density c) begins to decrease in density by expanding d) compresses its molecular structure and becomes more saline

c) begins to decrease in density by expanding

The trade winds blow in which of the following directions in the Southern Hemisphere? a) form northeast to southwest b) from northwest to southeast c) from southeast to northwest d) from southwest to northeast

c) from southeast to northwest

The intensity of solar radiation received at lower latitudes (near the equator) compared to higher latitudes (near the poles) is _________. a) the same b) lower c) greater d) not known

c) greater

Many of the unique properties of water are attributed to the fact that water _________. a) contains ionic bonds b) exists in three states of matter on Earth's surface c) is a polar molecule d) is a universal solvent e) requires heat to condense

c) is a polar molecule

Thermal energy released or absorbed during change of state (solid-liquid-gas) is classified as? a) sensible heat b) heat capacity c) latent heat d) evaporation e) potential heat

c) latent heat

The movement of sediment (usually sand) along the coast, driven by wave action, is referred to as ______________. a) wave reflection b) foreshore current c) longshore transport d) estuarine drift

c) longshore transport

The Gulf Stream is an example of which of the following types of currents? a) eastern boundary current b) equatorial counter current c) northern boundary current d) southern boundary current e) western boundary current

c) northern boundary current

Which of the following is NOT occurring during the El Nino? a) weaker trade winds b) high pressure in the western tropical pacific c) stronger upwelling in the eastern pacific d) lower biological productivity in the eastern pacific e) doughtiness in the western tropical pacific

c) stronger upwelling in the eastern pacific

The Ekman spiral is caused by _________. a) density differences in the water column b) the wind and gravity c) the wind and coriolis effect d) the pycnocline e) pressure gradients

c) the wind and coriolis effect

The Ekman spiral is caused by _____________. a) density differences in the water column b) the wind and gravity c) the wind and the coriolis effect d) the pycnocline e) pressure gradients

c) the wind and the coriolis effect

The time it takes one full wave to pass a fixed position is called the ____________. a) wave drift b) wave frequency c) wave period d) waveform e) wavelength

c) wave period

A deep-water wave occurs when the water depth is equal to at least _____________. a) the fetch b) wave height c) wavelength d) 1/2 of the wavelength e) 1/20 of the wavelength

d) 1/2 of the wavelength

Near shore, waves with a wavelength of 100 m will "feel" bottom when the depth is about: a) 20 m b) 50 m c) 100 m d) 200 m

d) 200 m

A full lunar tidal day is ___________. a) 12 hrs in duration b) 12 hrs 50 minutes in duration c) 24 hrs in duration d) 24 hrs and 50 minutes in duration e) 48 hrs in duration

d) 24 hrs and 50 minutes in duration

Based on the graph, a deep-water wave with a period of 16 seconds should have a speed of ________ meters per second and a wavelength of _________ meters. a) 12.5; 100 b) 18.0; 200 c) 22.0; 300 d) 25.0; 400 e) 27.0; 500

d) 25.0; 400

Which of the following statements about the movement of Earth's atmosphere is correct? a) A column of cool, dense air produces low pressure at the Earth's surface? b) A column of warm, less dense air produces high pressure at the Earth's surface. c) Warm air is denser than cool air so it tends to sink toward the Earth's surface. d) The movement of air within the atmospheric convection cells generates the wind belts. e) Cold air is less dense than cool air so it tends to sink toward the earth's surface

d) The movement of air within the atmospheric convection cells generates the wind belts.

What is the difference between currents and waves? a) currents are currently happening while waves are recorded after the fact. b) currents consist of moving water body while waves consist of a propagation of energy. c) currents occur in deep water while waves occur near land. d) currents occur only underwater while waves occur only on the top of the water.

d) currents occur only underwater while waves occur only on the top of the water.

A spring tide ___________. a) has moderate high and low tides b) occurs at a blue moon c) occurs at the vernal equinox d) has very high high tides and very low low tides e) has very little difference between high and low tides

d) has very high high tides and very low low tides

A vast majority of all large tsunami are generated in the _____________ ocean. a) antarctic b) atlantic c) indian d) pacific e) southern

d) pacific

Most often, sediments found on the beaches of depositional coasts are supplied by _______________. a) erosion of local coastal cliffs b) erosion of basement rock along the shoreline c) glacial processes d) rivers or ocean currents

d) rivers or ocean currents

The fetch refers to _________________. a) a method of shoreline erosion control. b) the circular pattern made by water particles when a wave passes c) the distance between the trough of a wave and the still water level d) the distance over which the wind blows without interruption

d) the distance over which the wind blows without interruption

In the Southern Hemisphere, the direction of Ekman transport is always ___________. a) at a 45 degree angle from the wind direction b) parallel to the wind to the east of the wind direction c) to the east of the wind direction d) to the left of the wind direction e) to the right of the wind direction

d) to the left of the wind direction

Surface waters are pushed away from land and replaced by nutrient-rich deep water through ________. a) downwelling b) land breezes c) sea breezes d) upwelling

d) upwelling

Which of the following is not one of the names associated with huge rotating masses of low pressure characterized by strong winds and torrential rain? a) cyclone b) hurricane c) typhoon d) vortex

d) vortex

The ratio of wave height to wavelength is called the _______________. a) wave base b) wave drift c) wave period d) wave steepness

d) wave steepness

Neap tides occur ___________________. a) at summer and winter solstice b) during a storm surge c) when the moon is full or new d) when the moon is in quadrature e) when the sun is at perihelion or aphelion

d) when the moon is in quadrature

Which factor does NOT affect wave energy a) fetch b) wind speed c) wind direction d) wind duration

d) wind duration

Surface ocean currents are driven primarily by ________ and modified by _________. a) density differences; the coriolis effect and land b) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature c) latitude; differences in salinity and land d) wind; the coriolis effect and land e) wind; gravity and density

d) wind; the coriolis effect and land

Large deposits of sediment at the mouths of rivers are called _________________. a) barrier flats b) barrier islands c) bay-mouth bar d) deltas e) tombolos

deltas

Judge the following sentence according to the criteria given below: Longshore current cannot change direction BECAUSE the waves that approach a beach never change direction with different seasons. a) the assertion and the reason are both correct, and the reason is valid. b) the assertion and the reason are both correct, but the reason is invalid. c) the assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect. d) the assertion is incorrect but the reason is correct. e) both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

e) both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

The coriolis effect is due to changes in the ________ of Earth with latitude. a) chemical composition b) density c) pressure d) temperature e) rotation velocity

e) rotation velocity

A tsunami is considered to be a ___________. a) capillary wave b) deep-water wave c) reflected wave d) refracted wave e) shallow-water wave

e) shallow-water wave

As a result of the coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere, winds always are deflected __________________. a) at a 45 degree angle from their original direction b) at a 90 degree angle from their original direction c) to the east of their original direction d) to the left of their original direction e) to the right of their original direction

e) to the right of their original direction

The longer the ______________, the faster a deep-water wave travels. a) wave drift b) wave frequency c) wave height d) waveform e) wavelength

e) wavelength

The speed of a deep-water wave is proportional to __________. a) water depth b) wave frequency c) wave height d) wave speed or celerity e) wavelength

e) wavelength

The speed of a shallow-water wave is proportional to the square root of __________________. a) water depth b) wave frequency c) wave height d) wave period e) wavelength

e) wavelength

The observation that one subtropical boundary current is faster, narrower, and deeper is an example of which of the following? a) eastern intensification b) Ekman transport c) equatorial upwelling d) geostrophic current e) western intensification

e) western intensification