Marine Chapter 4: Water Wind Currents

Questions and Answers

What is the property of water that allows it to mingle with other elements?

Its density

Its temperature

Its color

Its solvent capabilities (correct)

The majority of the heat transferred from the atmosphere to the earth is transferred by?

absorption by the lithosphere

What are the two main factors controlling the density of water?

salinity and temperature

At what temperature does the maximum density of pure water occur, and why?

4 degrees Celsius because below that water would be frozen Signup and view all the answers

What is the zone of rapid temperature change called?

thermocline Signup and view all the answers

The density of air increases with what?

increasing moisture Signup and view all the answers

What is the Coriolis effect?

apparent deflection of the path of air Signup and view all the answers

Winds are designated from which direction?

the direction from which they are coming Signup and view all the answers

Gyres are divided into currents termed below, except?

ekman spiral Signup and view all the answers

The thermocline is a boundary between layers of water with differing what?

temperatures Signup and view all the answers

If the earth consistently absorbed more energy from the sun than it radiated into space, what would happen?

the earth would grow hotter and hotter Signup and view all the answers

What causes convection cells?

warm air rising and cool air flowing in to replace it Signup and view all the answers

What causes the Coriolis effect?

rotation of the earth Signup and view all the answers

Where are trade winds found and what direction do they blow towards?

0 degrees and 30 degrees latitude and toward the equator Signup and view all the answers

Where are polar easterlies found and in what direction do they blow?

60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude and blow towards the equator Signup and view all the answers

Would you expect the water at the ocean's surface near a desert to have higher or lower salinity compared to the average ocean salinity?

higher Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary force that provides energy for surface currents?

wind Signup and view all the answers

How many gyres are found in each major ocean basin?

five Signup and view all the answers

Which ocean gyre has a tendency to flow in a northward direction?

north Atlantic and clockwise Signup and view all the answers

What causes deep circulation?

the mixing of water masses of different water densities Signup and view all the answers

What percent of ocean water is pure water?

96.5% Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which deep, nutrient-rich water moves upward to replace surface water blown farther offshore?

upwelling Signup and view all the answers

Deep Atlantic currents are formed largely as a result of what?

rotation of the earth Signup and view all the answers

What are convection cells?

circular motion winds Signup and view all the answers

In what region do the northeast and southeast trade winds meet?

at the doldrums Signup and view all the answers

Why does the sun heat the Earth unevenly?

earth is a sphere, its tilted on its axis, is in an elliptical orbit Signup and view all the answers

What direction do transverse currents flow?

west to east Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of eastern-boundary currents?

north to south to the equator Signup and view all the answers

Explain downwelling.

[Answer not provided] Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Properties of Water

Water acts as a solvent, allowing it to mingle with various substances.
The maximum density of pure water occurs at 4 degrees Celsius; below this temperature, water freezes.
The density of air increases with increasing moisture, affecting atmospheric conditions.

Heat Transfer

Most heat transfer from the atmosphere to the Earth occurs through absorption by the lithosphere.
If Earth absorbed more solar energy than it radiated, temperatures would rise continuously.

Water Density Factors

Water density is primarily controlled by salinity and temperature, influencing aquatic ecosystems.

Thermocline and Circulation

The thermocline is a layer in the ocean where temperature changes rapidly, distinguishing water layers.
Upwelling is the process where nutrient-rich water rises to replace surface water, enhancing marine productivity.

Wind Patterns and Currents

The Coriolis effect causes the apparent deflection of air paths due to Earth's rotation, influencing weather patterns.
Wind designations are made based on the direction from which they originate.
Trade winds blow toward the equator from 0 to 30 degrees latitude, while polar easterlies flow toward the equator from 60 to 90 degrees latitude.

Oceanic Gyres

There are five major ocean gyres, each corresponding to a specific ocean basin, with the North Atlantic gyre typically flowing clockwise.
Gyres consist of currents divided into various categories, excluding the Ekman spiral.

Currents and Convection

Primary energy sources for surface ocean currents include wind.
Convection cells in the atmosphere arise from warm air rising and cool air flowing in to replace it, creating circular wind patterns.

Salinity Variations

Ocean water near deserts tends to have higher salinity compared to average ocean salinity due to increased evaporation rates.

Ocean Composition

Approximately 96.5% of ocean water is pure water, emphasizing the concentration of dissolved salts and nutrients in the remaining portion.

Additional Current Patterns

Transverse currents flow from west to east, and eastern-boundary currents flow from north to south toward the equator.
Downwelling refers to the process of surface water sinking into deeper layers, affecting nutrient distribution and marine life.

Meeting Regions

The doldrums are where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, creating areas of low winds and instability.

Uneven Solar Heating

The sun heats the Earth unevenly due to its spherical shape, axial tilt, and elliptical orbit, influencing climatic zones and weather patterns.

Deep Circulation

Deep ocean currents result from the mixing of water masses with different densities, driven by temperature and salinity variations.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge with this quiz on Marine Chapter 4, which focuses on water and wind currents. Explore key concepts such as water density, salinity, and the transfer of heat from the atmosphere to the Earth. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of marine science.