Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate (OAC) Unit Test

Front

What causes the direction of ocean surface currents?

Back

Prevailing winds and obstacles like islands and continents.

Front

Which location has a warmer air temperature: Palmas or Neuquén, and why?

Back

Palmas, because more energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.

Front

Why is Collegeville colder in January than Oceanside, Oregon, despite being equidistant from the equator?

Back

Energy is transferred from the water to the air near Oceanside in January.

Front

What happens when warm fresh water is poured into icy salt water?

Back

The warm fresh water will float in the column filled with icy salt water because it is less dense.

Front

What do we call the continuous paths that ocean water flows in?

Back

Currents.

Front

Define 'ocean currents'.

Back

Ocean currents are large-scale movements of water within the world's oceans, driven by factors such as wind, water density differences, and the Earth's rotation.

Front

What is the role of prevailing winds in ocean currents?

Back

Prevailing winds drive the surface currents of the ocean, influencing their direction and speed.

Front

Explain the concept of density in relation to ocean water.

Back

Density is the mass of water per unit volume; salt water is denser than fresh water, affecting how they interact.

Front

How does the sun's energy affect air temperature near the equator?

Back

The sun's energy is more direct at the equator, leading to higher temperatures as it heats the surface and the air above it.

Front

What is the significance of the thermocline in ocean water?

Back

The thermocline is a layer in the ocean where temperature changes rapidly with depth, affecting marine life and water circulation.