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Weather and Ocean Circulation

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A scientist wants to track contaminant movement in the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a warm water current in the North Atlantic Ocean and is part of the North Atlantic gyre. The gyre is influenced by the Coriolis effect. To follow the contaminant after it exits the Gulf Stream, the scientist needs to know characteristics of the North Atlantic gyre. Which of these best describes a movement of the North Atlantic gyre the scientist needs to know?

a)

linear movement due south

b)

linear movement due west

c)

counterclockwise movement

d)

clockwise movement

e)

No water movement

2.

Which of the following air movements are not cyclonic?

a)

typhoon

b)

tornado

c)

drought

d)

hurricane

3.

Which statement best explains the role of evaporation in ocean currents?

a)

Evaporation increases the air pressure above surface waters, causing horizontal currents.

b)

Evaporation adds salt to surface waters, forcing the water to sink.

c)

Evaporation removes heat energy from surface waters, increasing the water density.

d)

Evaporation leads to the movement of air masses, causing surface currents.

4.

Which direction do currents run in the NORTHERN hemisphere?

a)

Counterclockwise

b)

Clockwise

5.

Which direction do currents run in the SOUTHERN hemisphere?

a)

Counterclockwise

b)

Clockwise

6.

Which factors affect global ocean currents?

a)

temperature, glacial ice melt, salinity

b)

Density, buoyancy, sediment

c)

Waves, temperature, wind

7.
According to the map, which city is likely experiencing warmer weather?
a)
Seattle
b)
Chicago
c)
Boston
d)
San Diego
8.
Which type of weather is Dallas, Texas, likely experiencing?
a)
Thunderstorms
b)
Clear skies
c)
Cold temperatures
d)
Gentle precipitation for days
9.
Which of the following is most likely a cause of hurricanes?
a)
Cooler ocean temperatures
b)
Warmer ocean temperatures
c)
Large ocean waves
d)
Strong ocean currents
10.
A hurricane forms over the Atlantic Ocean. When it hits land and comes ashore, its wind speed decrease significantly.  This happens because the hurricane:
a)
gains more water from the flooded land than the ocean
b)
meets a land breeze
c)
meets a stronger hurricane moving from land
d)
no longer gains energy from warm ocean water
11.
What type of weather usually goes with this symbol?
a)
Clear, sunny skies
b)
Cloudy skies
c)
Hot temperature
d)
Thunderstorms
12.
What type of weather will occur with this symbol?
a)
Thunderstorms, cooler temperatures
b)
Gentle precipitation, warmer temperatures
c)
Sunny skies, warmer weather
d)
Cloudy skies, cooler weather
13.
This is the symbol for a... 
a)
Cold Front
b)
Warm Front
c)
Stationary Front
d)
Occluded Front 
14.
This is the symbol for a... 
a)
Occluded Front
b)
Stationary Front
c)
Warm Front
d)
Cold Front 
15.
____________ air sinks/falls because it is ____________dense.
a)
Cold, More
b)
Warm, Less
c)
Cold, Less
d)
Warm, More
16.
Deep Ocean currents are a result of
a)
Global Wind Patterns
b)
Earth's Rotation
c)
Density
d)
All of the above
17.
The Coriolis Effect is caused by
a)
Earth rotating around the sun
b)
Earth rotating on its axis
c)
The tides
d)
Gravity
18.

What water does the Brazilian current bring to South America

a)

Warm

b)

Hot

c)

Cold

d)

Freezing

19.

What water does the Benguela

a)

Warm

b)

Hot

c)

Cold

d)

freezing

20.
Ocean currents have an affect on which two things
a)
climate and weather
b)
temperature and density
c)
land and sea
d)
equator and poles