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- 1. Multiple Choice
The Earth's oceans are generally warmer near the equator and cooler near the poles. Currents in the water near the surface circulate the water. Some of these currents are shown in the image below. Warm currents are shown in red. Cool currents are shown in blue.
Which of the following best describes what the pictured currents do?
carry warm water away from the poles
carry cool water toward the poles
carry warm water toward the equator
carry warm water away from the equator
- 2. Multiple Choice
Warm air and water both tend to rise while cooler air and water sink. When different parts of the oceans are heated unevenly, this causes the water to
mix together in the water cycle.
move in convection currents.
stay in the same place.
form a tsunami.
- 3. Multiple Choice
Water is cooler near the poles and warmer near the equator. Movement of cooler and warmer water from these regions moderates the global climate.
Which of the following describes the movement of water between the poles and the equator?
ocean currents
gravity
evaporation
tides
- 4. Multiple Choice
A process known as upwelling often occurs along ocean coasts. In this process, warm water at the surface is driven out to sea by blowing winds. As the warm water moves out to sea, what most likely happens to the cold water beneath it?
It condenses into ice.
It sinks closer to the ocean floor.
It rises to the surface to replace the warm water.
It is driven out to sea by the warm water.
- 5. Multiple Choice
A student puts water in a long glass tank to make a model of ocean currents. He heats the left side of the tank and cools the right side. This heating and cooling produces a current of water in the tank.
Which diagram correctly shows the flow of the water?
- 6. Multiple Choice
The currents of the Earth's oceans are caused by
global winds and differences in temperature and salinity.
marine organisms and volcanic eruptions.
waves and earthquakes along tectonic plate boundaries.
disturbances by submarines and large ships.
- 7. Multiple Choice
A student wants to make a model of ocean currents. She divides a long glass tank in half, as shown below. She puts fresh water in one side and salt water in the other side.
Next, the student removes the barrier between the two sides.
Which diagram correctly shows the flow of the water when the barrier is removed?
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which is true?
The ocean has no effect on the temperature on the land.
All ocean water is the same temperature.
Ocean water does not move between locations.
Ocean currents affect temperatures on land.
- 9. Multiple Choice
Water in ocean currents can descend when it becomes colder and saltier than the surrounding water. If water descends to the bottom of the ocean, then other water must rise to the top. What causes water to rise to the top of the ocean?
It becomes less dense than the surrounding water.
It is forced upward by underwater mountain ranges.
It is brought upward by organisms that live in the ocean.
It cools down and dissolves additional salt.
- 10. Multiple Choice
The ocean's currents are driven by differences in temperature and density. Different masses of water are warmer and less dense than other masses. This water tends to move along the ocean's surface in surface currents. Colder masses and more dense masses of water tend to sink and move along the ocean floor in deep-water currents.
As shown in the diagram, at several locations warm, less dense water cools, becomes more dense and falls to the ocean floor. At other locations, cold, dense water warms, becomes less dense and rises back to the surface.
This cycling of ocean water along currents is an example of _______.
conduction
absorption
convection
radiation
- 11. Multiple Choice
The image below shows a system of ocean currents that are sometimes referred to as the global ocean conveyor belt.
These currents are a form of convection in the ocean. What is one effect of this convection?
Warm water on the ocean's surface stays on the surface.
The ocean constantly becomes colder as warm water is cooled.
Water from the ocean cools the atmosphere.
Water continually circulates throughout Earth's oceans.
- 12. Multiple Choice
The image shows part of an ocean current in the Atlantic Ocean. The blue line represents the motion of deep, cool water. The red line represents the motion of warm surface water.
One factor that affects ocean currents is the concentration of salt in the water. How can the saltiness of the water cause the surface water to sink, as shown above?
When ice melts, it makes the surface water more salty.
When cold water rises to the surface, it loses salt.
When some of the surface water freezes, the remaining water becomes saltier.
When the surface water is heated by the Sun, it dissolves more salt.
- 13. Multiple Choice
The image shows part of an ocean current in the Pacific Ocean. The blue line represents the motion of deep, cool water. The red line represents the motion of warm surface water.
What most likely causes the current to behave as shown in the image?
When the water is heated, it becomes less dense and rises.
When the surface water is heated by the Sun, it becomes denser.
When the deep water is cooled, it loses energy and becomes denser.
When the cold water evaporates, less dense water rises to take its place.
- 14. Multiple Choice
Cold water near the ocean floor often flows in deep-water currents. The cold water flows toward the deepest regions of the ocean because
the water above it contains less algae.
it is more dense than the warm water above it.
it is warmer than the cold water above it.
the water above it is frozen in icebergs.
- 15. Multiple Choice
El Niño is a weather pattern that affects the Pacific Ocean and the area surrounding it in the tropical region. During El Niño, the surface temperature of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean is several degrees warmer than usual. The change in ocean temperature causes a change in weather patterns throughout the Pacific Ocean.
Why does the cycle of El Niño affect the weather across the Pacific Ocean?
Energy from the warm water creates winds that blow across the ocean.
Additional salt in the ocean changes the rate at which water evaporates.
The ocean currents change, transferring heat around the ocean differently.
Temperature differences in the ocean prevent the convection of ocean water.
- 16. Multiple Choice
The ocean contains currents as a result of uneven heating and uneven salt concentration. These currents exist both on the ocean surface and deep in the ocean.
Which diagram best represents the currents in the ocean?
- 17. Multiple Choice
Due to the Earth's shape and orientation, areas near the equator receive the greatest amount of energy from the Sun. Ocean currents
keep this energy concentrated in one region of the globe.
move only away from the equator as a result.
move only toward the equator as a result.
help to distribute this energy by warming other regions of the globe.
- 18. Multiple Choice
The diagram shows the word's major ocean currents. Warm-water currents are shown in red, and cold-water currents are shown in blue.
Most warm-water ocean currents move away from the equator and toward the poles because warm water is driven by ______ from ______ regions to _______ regions.
convection; hot; cold
conduction; hot; cold
conduction; cold; hot
convection; cold; hot
- 19. Multiple Choice
Currents caused by differences in water density are most often the result of
differences in salinity and wind.
uniform temperature and salinity.
uniform salinity and wind.
differences in temperature and salinity.
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