Winds and Ocean Currents Quiz

What is the Coriolis effect?

• The warming of ocean water due to global warming

• The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents

• The process by which water vapor turns into rain

• The movement of tectonic plates beneath the ocean floor

What are gyres?

• Deep underwater volcanoes

• Large-scale patterns of wind circulation

• Circular patterns of ocean currents

• Small, fast-moving fish

Which is more dense, salt water or fresh water?

• Fresh Water

• Salt Water

How does temperature affect water density?

• Warmer water is denser than colder water

• There is no effect

• Colder water is denser than warmer water, until it reaches freezing point

• Temperature only affects the color of water

What causes deep water currents?

• The rotation of the Earth

• The movement of aquatic animals

• Differences in water density

• The moon's gravitational pull

Surface currents are primarily driven by:

• Earthquakes

• Wind

• The Earth's magnetic field

• Sunspots

What role does salinity play in ocean currents?

• It has no effect

• It decreases the freezing point of water

• It increases water density

• It makes the ocean blue

Which of the following is a characteristic of fresh water?

• It is denser than salt water

• It has a high salt content

• It is found only in the ocean

• It has no salt content

How does the Coriolis effect influence the direction of ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere?

• It causes them to move in a straight line

• It causes them to move clockwise

• It causes them to move counterclockwise

• It has no effect

Why are ocean currents important for global climate?

• They produce oxygen

• They distribute heat around the planet

• They prevent hurricanes

• They increase rainfall everywhere