Questions and Answers
What are the five major oceans that make up Earth's global ocean?
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic
Which ocean is the largest between Asia and the Americas?
Which ocean is the third largest in the world?
Which ocean is the smallest and is mostly covered by ice?
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How does Earth's oceans form?
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How does salt get into the oceans?
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What is the chemical formula for sodium chloride?
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________ decreases as _______ increases in the ocean.
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Surface temperatures of the ocean vary depending on distance from the equator.
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Where do the oceans receive the most direct sunlight?
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What is the ocean's most important function?
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Oceans absorb and release heat more ______ than dry land.
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What are currents in the ocean?
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What is the warm water current that moves from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic to Western Europe?
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Ocean currents help to regulate ____ and _____ to keep the Earth from getting too hot or too cold.
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Study Notes
Major Oceans
- Earth's global ocean comprises five major bodies: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.
- The Pacific Ocean is the largest, located between Asia and the Americas.
- The Atlantic Ocean ranks second in size, about half the volume of the Pacific.
- The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean.
- The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and mostly covered by ice.
- The Southern Ocean extends from the Antarctic coast to 60 degrees South Latitude.
Formation of Oceans
- Earth was a volcanic landscape 4.5 billion years ago, lacking oceans and possessing a thick atmosphere from volcanic gases.
- Oceans formed as Earth cooled; water vapor condensed, leading to rainfall that filled deeper areas of the planet.
Historical Ocean
- Panthalassa was the original global ocean that existed in prehistoric times.
Ocean Salinity
- Sodium chloride (NaCl) is the main salt found in oceans, identical to table salt.
- Salt enters oceans through dissolved minerals carried by rivers and streams.
- Salinity measures the concentration of dissolved solids in water; ocean water averages 35 grams of salt per kilogram.
Factors Affecting Salinity
- Salinity increases in coastal areas with hot, dry climates due to high evaporation rates.
- In cool, humid climates, coastal waters experience lower salinity due to freshwater influx from precipitation.
- Higher evaporation results in increased salinity; cooler areas receive more dilution from freshwater sources.
- Stagnant water in bays and gulfs allows salt to concentrate, raising salinity levels.
Ocean Temperature Zones
- Temperature decreases as ocean depth increases, with the surface zone being the warmest layer up to 300 meters deep.
- The thermocline, located at around 700 meters, shows a rapid temperature drop.
- The deep zone is the coldest layer, near freezing temperatures ranging from 1-3 degrees Celsius.
Sunlight and Temperature
- The Equator receives the most direct sunlight, influencing surface temperatures that vary with latitude and seasons.
- Oceans play a crucial role in the water cycle, facilitating the movement of water between the ocean, atmosphere, and land.
Ocean Functions
- The primary function of oceans is to absorb and retain solar energy, moderating Earth's temperatures.
- Oceans are slower to absorb and release heat compared to land, maintaining stable climates.
- Currents, like the Gulf Stream, are major water movements that help regulate Earth's climate and temperature by transporting warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe.
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Description
Explore the five major oceans of Earth with these flashcards. Learn about the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans, including their sizes and locations. This quiz is perfect for enhancing your knowledge about Earth's aquatic features.
