Ocean Movements F21

What phenomenon is MOST responsible for ocean current circulation?

• Coriolis's effects

• density differences

• the Sun's tidal effect

• temperature differences

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What will most likely happen if a warm ocean current travels north or south from the equator?

• The current will become warmer, causing it to become more dense and rise.

• The current will become cooler, causing it to become less dense and rise.

• The current will become cooler, causing it to become more dense and sink.

• The current will become warmer, causing it to become less dense and sink.

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What is the primary energy source driving circulation of ocean currents on Earth?

• geothermal heating

• planetary rotation

• solar heating

• lunar tidal forces

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The Gulf Steam current travels from the equator toward Europe.

If the Gulf Stream stopped flowing, which environmental change would MOST likely occur?



• More reefs would develop in the waters near the eastern Greenland coastline.

• Water temperatures in the Northern Atlantic Ocean would be much hotter.

• Land masses in the Northern Atlantic Ocean would have colder climates.

• Most of Europe would be flooded because of rising sea levels.

Answer explanation

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Hurricanes are driven by the energy they get from ocean water. Which property of water allows it to retain the energy needed to power a hurricane?

• low vapor pressure

• high specific heat

• high surface tension

• low freezing point

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Because water is able to exist in the liquid phase on Earth, water helps to moderate temperatures across the entire planet. Which statement BEST illustrates this link between water in the liquid phase and moderation of temperatures?

• The movement of water creates heat.

• Ocean currents circulate heat away from the equator.

• Earth’s internal heat is pushed outward through volcanic activity.

• Land warms as ocean water makes direct contact with land.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Without oceans, the temperatures of Earth would vary widely from temperatures that currently exist. Which characteristic of the ocean MOST likely helps to maintain the temperatures of Earth?

• depth of the ocean

• density of ocean water

• evaporation of ocean water

• high humidity near the ocean

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St. Augustine, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas, are located near the same latitude. However, average winter temperatures in St. Augustine are higher than in San Antonio.

Which MOST influences the milder temperatures of St. Augustine, Florida?

• increased cloud cover

• reduced solar radiation

• distance north of the equator

• nearness to ocean currents

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The picture illustrates the rotation of ocean currents in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The rotation of currents in the Northern Hemisphere affects the

• strength of hurricanes.

• climates of landmasses.

• number of storms that develop.

• amount of wind in the lower latitudes.

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The Great Ocean Conveyer ocean current system runs north through the Atlantic from the equatorial region. If this current got disrupted, North American and European climates would become

• rainier

• colder

• windier.

• more humid.

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