Abeka Grade 8/ Science/SR 6.2

What is an ocean current?

• The continuous, directed movement of seawater
• A type of wave that occurs in the ocean
• A type of seaweed that grows in the ocean
• Large stream of ocean water that flows at or below the surface

How does Earth's rotation affect ocean currents?

• It creates the Coriolis effect, which deflects ocean currents
• It has no effect on ocean currents
• By causing them to move in circular paths called gyre

• It causes the ocean currents to flow in a straight line

Where does the Gulf Stream start?

• at the tip of Florida,

• at the tip of Europe

• Arctic Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

Where does the Gulf Stream travel?

• parallels the coast of North America up to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, sweeps across the Atlantic and dissolved

• parallels the coast of North America up to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, sweeps across the Indian Ocean towards Europe.

• parallels the coast of North America up to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, sweeps across the Mediterranean Sea towards Europe.

• parallels the coast of North America up to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, sweeps across the Atlantic towards Europe.

What is an ocean current that flows beneath the surface of the ocean called?

• Underwater waves
• Subsurface currents
• Deep sea streams
• Subterranean tides

Define turbidity current.

• A slow-moving current of clear water
• A type of cloud formation
• A geological fault line
• A fast-moving underwater current of muddy water or silt mixes

What are rhythmic back-and-forth motions that transfer energy through the water?

• Sand
• Wind
• Fire
• Waves

Describe what happens when a wave nears and washes up on a beach.

• The wave turns into a solid wall and stops at the edge of the beach.
• The water evaporates immediately upon reaching the beach.
• The wave splits into multiple smaller waves and travels in different directions.
• The wave travels up the ocean floor and grows taller and steeper. Eventually, it break ("topples" forward) to form a breaker.

Why can rip currents be dangerous?

• They provide a fun and exciting challenge for swimmers
• Swimmers caught in rip currents sometimes panic or exhaust themselves and drown.

• They are gentle and easy to swim in
• They are not a real threat to swimmers

What should you do if you are caught in a rip current?

• Swim parallel to the shore
• Float on your back and wait for help
• Swim against the current
• Swim directly towards the shore