Ocean, Atmosphere and Climate

What causes warm air to rise?

• The fact that it's less dense than cold air.

• The fact that it weighs more than cold air.

• The fact that it has higher pressure than cold air.

• The fact that it's more dense than cold air. 

Global winds are directly caused by the Earth's rotation and

• the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

• the Moon's phases.

• uneven precipitation rates.

• uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

Directions: Select all the correct answers.

Some areas of the Earth receive more solar radiation than others. Which of the following results from the Sun's uneven heating of the Earth?

• ocean currents

• mountain height

• climate

• weather

Chengdu is closer to the equator than Harbin. Which location has a colder air temperature and why?

• Harbin, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.

• Harbin, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the air.

• Chengdu, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the surface, and then from the surface to the air.

• Chengdu, because less energy is transferred from the sun directly to the air.

Alesund and Khatyrka are the same distance from the equator and they are both near the ocean. Use the information on the map to answer these questions: How does the air temperature of Alesund compare to the air temperature of Khatyrka? Why? The air at Alesund is...

• the same as Khatyrka. Even though the ocean water at each location is a different temperature, the same amount of energy is transferred to the air at both locations.

• the same as Khatyrka. They are both near moving ocean water, so the same amount of energy is transferred to the air at both locations.

• warmer than Khatyrka. At Alesund, energy is transferred from the ocean to the air. At Khatyrka, energy is transferred from the air to the ocean.

• warmer than Khatyrka. At Alesund, a lot of energy is transferred from the ocean to the air. At Khatyrka, only a little energy is transferred from the ocean to the air.

Delta and Alpha are the same distance from the equator, and they are both near the ocean. Using the information in the map, how does the air temperature of Delta compare to the air temperature of Alpha? Why? The air at Delta is

• the same as Alpha. Both locations are the same distance from the equator. The winds push the ocean water, and it turns to follow the coast in both locations, so the same amount of energy is transferred to the air.

• warmer than Alpha. Moving air with a lot of energy turns and follows the coast toward Delta; moving air with only a little energy turns and follows the coast toward Alpha.

• warmer than Alpha. The winds push ocean water that turns and follows the coasts. Energy is transferred from the ocean to the air at Delta and energy is transferred from the air to the ocean at Alpha.

• warmer than Alpha. The winds push ocean water that turns and follows the coasts. A lot of energy is transferred from the ocean to the air at Delta, and only a little energy is transferred from the ocean to the air at Alpha.

Milltown is 15ºC (59ºF) in the spring. What is the source for most of the energy that causes this temperature?

• The sun.

• volcanoes

• coal and oil

• trees

Sydney and Valparaiso are the same distance from the equator and both are near the ocean. Is Valparaiso warmer, colder, or the same temperature as Sydney?

• Valparaiso is colder than Sydney.

• Valparaiso is warmer than Sydney.

• Valparaiso is the same Sydney.

• There is no way of knowing.

Surface Ocean currents are primarily caused by

• temperature and salinity

• wind

• convection

• continental drift

When surface currents meet continents they ___?

• Stop moving
• Are deflected (change paths)
• Continue in the direction they were going