Ocean Currents and Waves

Sarah can float more easily in ocean water than in water in a swimming pool. Why is it easier for her to float in ocean water?

• ocean water is denser

• ocean water is deeper

• there is a larger volume of ocean water to float in

• she has a smaller mass in ocean water

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which best describes the Gulf Stream?

• A cold ocean current that cools the weather off near Australia.

• A cold ocean current that helps decrease global warming.

• A warm ocean current that influences weather along the east coast of the U.S. and up toward Europe.

• A warm ocean current that influences weather in Cuba and moves toward Antarctica.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How do deep ocean currents form?

• The form as warm, dense water sinks and flows beneath cold ocean water.

• They form as cold, dense water sinks and flows beneath warm ocean water.

• They form as warm, dense water sinks and flows with other warm ocean water.

• The wind blows causing the deep ocean currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following does NOT affect surface currents?

• strength of the wind

• presence of the wind

• latitude and longitude

• speed of the wind

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Most ocean waves are formed by

• earthquakes

• landslides

• impacts of cosmic bodies

• wind

Which of the following does NOT control surface currents?

• tides

• global wind

• Coriolis Effect

• continental deflections (bouncing off of the continents)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What phenomenon does the Coriolis Effect arise from?

• Rotation of the Earth on its axis.

• Revolution of the Earth on its axis.

• Curvature of the Earth’s surface.

• Effect of winds high in the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What happens to the ocean as depth increases?

• temperature increases

• salinity decreases, temperature decreases

• pressure decreases

• temperature decreases, salinity increases

Surface currents always move water in which directions?

• clockwise

• counter-clockwise

• vertically

• horizontally

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Ocean currents have an effect on which two things

• climate and weather

• land and sea

• temperature and density

• equator and poles

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6