Earth's Water: Ocean Circulation

Which statements describe the movement of ocean currents around the globe? Check all that apply. - Strong winds force warm water to sink to the ocean floor. - The Coriolis effect causes warm and cold water to mix. - Cool dense water sinks to the ocean floor. - Warm water replaces cool surface water. - Wind blowing parallel to the shore causes upwelling of cool water.

- Cool dense water sinks to the ocean floor. - Warm water replaces cool surface water. - Wind blowing parallel to the shore causes upwelling of cool water.

Which statements describe currents in the oceans? Check all that apply. - El Niño is a current of water between Australia and North America. - Currents occur at the surface of and deep within the ocean. - The Coriolis effect contributes to the direction of current flow. - Currents often change in unpredictable ways, causing climate change. - Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents.

- Currents occur at the surface of and deep within the ocean. - The Coriolis effect contributes to the direction of current flow. - Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents.

Which phrase describes the tidal range? - the cause for the rotation of wind in a circular pattern - the difference between levels of high tide and low tide - the water that flows away from the shore and moves sand with it - the difference between the times the high tide and low time come in

the difference between levels of high tide and low tide

Which ocean movement do power plants use to produce usable energy? currents drifts tides tsunamis

tides

In which direction does wave energy travel? up and down north and south with the currents toward the shore

toward the shore

When will the waves at the shore be the smallest and calmest? when the tide is receding when upwelling occurs when the wind is not blowing when the tide is coming in

when the wind is not blowing

Which factor drives surface ocean currents? wind energy solar energy pull of the moon movement of turbines

wind energy

Ocean circulation is the large-scale movement of water in the ocean. It involves the transport of heat through convection, which is the movement of heat through liquids and gases. Which statement describes how convection moves heat in the ocean during non-El Niño (normal) years? - Convection moves heat toward the west. - Convection moves heat toward the east. - Convection moves heat toward the north. - Convection moves heat toward the south.

Convection moves heat toward the west.

Which is one characteristic of deep ocean currents? - Deep ocean currents move quickly. - Deep ocean currents are caused by winds. - Deep ocean currents move cold water toward the equator. * Deep ocean currents are affected by temperature but not by salinity.

Deep ocean currents move cold water toward the equator.

Which factor contributes to the formation of tides that turn turbines to create energy in the ocean? wind speed water density Earth's rotation water temperature

Earth's rotation

Which statement describes the principles on which tidal energy works? Kinetic energy in the motion of water is converted to electricity. Potential energy in the motion of water is converted to electricity. Chemical energy from salt water is converted to electricity. Mechanical energy from water is converted into electricity.

Kinetic energy in the motion of water is converted to electricity.

The spin of Earth creates the Coriolis effect. This effect causes which current patterns to occur? Check all that apply. - Surface ocean water in the Northern Hemisphere moves clockwise. - Surface ocean water in the Southern Hemisphere moves clockwise. - Surface ocean water in the Northern Hemisphere moves counterclockwise. - Surface ocean water in the Southern Hemisphere moves counterclockwise. - Surface ocean water moves clockwise in both hemispheres. - Surface ocean water moves counterclockwise in both hemispheres.

Surface ocean water in the Northern Hemisphere moves clockwise. Surface ocean water in the Southern Hemisphere moves counterclockwise.

Why are electrical outputs from a turbine generator highest during a spring tide? - A high tide comes in faster. - The gravitational pull of the moon is less. - The Sun and the moon pull in opposite directions. - The difference between high tide and low tide is the greatest.

The difference between high tide and low tide is the greatest.

Which is one way that spring and neap tides are different from regular tides? They occur twice a day. They are caused by wind. They happen along coastal areas. They are extra-high tides and extra-low tides.

They are extra-high tides and extra-low tides.

Which statement explains what upwelling causes? - Upwelling causes tides to rise and fall. - Upwelling causes changes in the direction of currents. - Upwelling causes nutrients, minerals, and tiny organisms to rise. - Upwelling causes currents in the Pacific Ocean to change direction.

Upwelling causes nutrients, minerals, and tiny organisms to rise.

Convection refers to the movement of heat through a fluid, such as water. Which best describes one way that convection influences the circulation of ocean water? - Cold water at the surface flows toward the poles and sinks as it cools. - Deep, warm water flows toward the equator and rises as it cools. - Warm water at the surface flows toward the poles and sinks as it cools. - Deep, cold water flows toward the equator and rises as it cools.

Warm water at the surface flows toward the poles and sinks as it cools.

How are currents in the Pacific Ocean affected by El Niño? - Currents travel more slowly. - Rip currents are frequently formed. - All currents become deep ocean currents. - Warm water moves to the east instead of to the west.

Warm water moves to the east instead of to the west.

Which action causes breakers? - Waves hit the shore at an angle and transport sand. - Water flows away from the shore and moves sand with it. - Underwater earthquakes cause motion throughout ocean water. - Waves meet the shore and cause the crest to spill over the trough.

Waves meet the shore and cause the crest to spill over the trough.

Which event typically causes upwelling? - Wind blows warm water away from the shore. - Warm water rises to the surface of the ocean. - Neap tides move cold water away from the shore. - Cold water falls to the bottom of the ocean and pushes warm water up.

Wind blows warm water away from the shore.

Which factors cause ocean water to become denser? Check all that apply. an increase in energy a decrease in energy an increase in temperature a decrease in temperature an increase in salinity a decrease in salinity

a decrease in temperature an increase in salinity

Which two words identify the scientific parts of a wave? breaker and crest crest and trough current and breaker drift and current

crest and trough

During which event is more energy produced compared to other days to turn a turbine? El Niño a tsunami during a spring tide during a low tide

during a spring tide

Which type of energy turns tidal turbines to create electrical energy? kinetic potential solar thermal

kinetic

Which best describes a tsunami? - large powerful wave caused by an earthquake - when the waves hit the shore at an angle and transport sand - alternating rise and fall of the ocean - an irregular climate event caused by ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean

large powerful wave caused by an earthquake

Which describes one feature of deep ocean currents? have lower-salinity water carry warm water from the equator have higher-temperature water move more slowly than surface currents

move more slowly than surface currents

Energy output readings from tidal power plants in the ocean are low one day compared to the rest of the month. Which event is the most likely cause? neap tides rip currents light winds spring tides

neap tides

Which phrase describes neap tides? occur four times a day produce extra-low tidal ranges caused only by the pull of the moon occur at the same time as spring tides

produce extra-low tidal ranges

Which phrase best describes surface currents? - up-and-down ocean movement caused by wind - waves that hit the shore at an angle and transport sand - streams of warm water flowing through the ocean and caused by wind - waves that approach the shore and cause their crests to fall into their troughs

streams of warm water flowing through the ocean and caused by wind

Where does warm water accumulate in the Pacific Ocean during El Niño? the east the south the north the west

the east

Which event causes tides? - the blowing of the wind - the movement of warm and cool water - the interaction of the moon, the Sun, and Earth - the mixing of surface water and deep ocean water

the interaction of the moon, the Sun, and Earth

Which phenomenon causes oceans to bulge? the blowing wind the Coriolis effect the moon's gravity the rotation of Earth

the moon's gravity

How frequently do most coastal areas experience high tides? twice a day twice a month four times a day four times a month

twice a day

Which source provides the energy that causes most waves to form? currents earthquakes sunlight wind

wind