Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation Review

Front

What are the prevailing westerlies?

Back

The prevailing westerlies are the wind system that moves weather from west to east across most of the continental United States.

Front

True or False: The Coriolis Effect helps distribute heat around the surface of Earth.

Back

True

Front

What drives warm-water ocean currents away from the equator?

Back

Warm-water ocean currents are driven by convection from hot regions to cold regions.

Front

How does an increase in ocean salinity affect water?

Back

An increase in ocean salinity changes the density of water, which can create currents.

Front

What is the best model to represent ocean current patterns?

Back

Pour hot water that has red food coloring and cold water that has blue food coloring into a tank of water that is at room temperature, then shine a heat lamp on the water.

Front

What is convection in the context of ocean currents?

Back

Convection is the process of heat transfer through the movement of fluids, which drives the movement of warm water in ocean currents.

Front

What role does the Coriolis Effect play in atmospheric circulation?

Back

The Coriolis Effect causes moving air and water to turn and twist, influencing weather patterns and ocean currents.

Front

Define ocean salinity.

Back

Ocean salinity is the measure of the amount of salt dissolved in seawater, affecting water density and circulation.

Front

What are trade winds?

Back

Trade winds are steady winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, influencing weather patterns.

Front

What is the significance of ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents regulate climate by distributing heat across the planet and influencing weather patterns.