Oceans and Climate

Which of the following accurately describes the direction of warm ocean currents?

• Equator-to-equator

• Pole-to-pole

• Pole-to-equator

• Equator-to-pole

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What are the two factors that contribute to differences in water density and ultimately drive the formation of deep ocean currents?

• Wind patterns

• Salinity (haline)

• Landmasses

• Temperature (thermo)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Based on the Surface Ocean Currents diagram, which of the following would accurately describe the climate in South America?

• The climate of the East and West Coast should be exactly the same.

• The climate of the East Coast tends to be warmer than the West Coast.

• The climate of the West Coast tends to be warmer than the East Coast.

• Warm ocean currents run along both coastlines in South America.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Why do warm ocean currents develop at the equator? Refer to the image.

• At the equator, sun rays strike the earth more directly, resulting in warmer temperatures

• At the poles, sun rays strike the earth more directly, resulting in warmer temperatures.

• At the equator, sun rays travel a longer distance, striking the earth over a larger area, resulting in warmer temperatures.

• Warm currents develop all over the earth, as sun rays strike the earth with the same intensity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Observe the map of the great ocean conveyor belt below. Choose the most likely scenario for what would happen to the climate in Great Britain if the conveyor belt slowed or stopped and why? The arrow is pointing to Great Britain.

• The temperature would increase because more warm water would be carried toward Great Britain.

• The temperature would decrease as less warm water moves toward Great Britain because the movement of the conveyor belt changes.

• 
  The temperature in Great Britain would not change.

• 
  The temperature would increase because more cold water would be carried toward Great Britain.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Floating gnomes moved across the ocean from one location to the other due to:

• Ocean currents

• Evaporation

• Landmasses

• Cargo ships pushing the gnomes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Density of ocean water is affected by which of the following?

• Temperature & Salinity

• Amount of salt in the water

• Temperature of the water

• Wind patterns over the water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

All of the following can affect ocean currents except:

• Rotation of the earth

• Buoyancy

• Wind

• Landmasses

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Water absorbs and releases more heat (thermal energy) than land. Is this true?

• False

• True

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which of the following factors can affect ocean currents

• Wind

• The earth's rotation (Coriols effect)

• The salinity of ocean water

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4