The Coriolis Effect and Ocean Flows

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Which of the following is the primary driving force behind winds on Earth?

Ocean currents

Unequal heating (correct)

Rotation of the Earth

Atmospheric pressure

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic wind associated with atmospheric circulation?

Westerlies

Trade winds

Easterlies

Polar easterlies (correct)

Which region experiences prevailing winds blowing from east to west?

Poles

60 degrees latitude

Equator (correct)

30 degrees latitude

What is the main factor that sets up surface currents in the ocean?

Prevailing winds Signup and view all the answers

In a rectangular ocean, if a wind blows from left to right, what direction will the surface current be?

Left to right Signup and view all the answers

Which hemisphere experiences a clockwise loop of current in the North Atlantic Ocean?

Northern hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to the boundary between the trade winds and the westerlies?

Horse latitudes Signup and view all the answers

What direction does the net surface current in the northern hemisphere tend to be bent towards?

Right Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the loop of current in the North Atlantic Ocean?

Gyre Signup and view all the answers

What is the main driving force behind the loop current in the ocean?

Wind stress Signup and view all the answers

What are the two jet streams mentioned in the text?

Hadley jet stream and Polar jet stream Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if you fly on the wrong side of a jet stream?

Travel time can be increased Signup and view all the answers

Which direction do Coriolis effects tend to bend flows in the Northern Hemisphere?

Towards the right Signup and view all the answers

What causes the water in the ocean to move at depths of 10-30 meters?

Movement of the water above it Signup and view all the answers

What is the average direction in which the surface of the ocean is being dragged by the wind?

Towards the right Signup and view all the answers

What is the net transport by surface winds in the surface ocean in relation to the surface wind direction?

In the same direction Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate deflection angle of the surface current in the ocean caused by surface winds?

90 degrees Signup and view all the answers

What does the high-pressure system in the center of each gyre cause?

Formation of high-pressure systems Signup and view all the answers

What does the difference between the actual sea surface and the surface if the ocean wasn't moving indicate?

Circulation pattern Signup and view all the answers

Which direction does the wind blow in the North Atlantic?

From the Northeast to the southwest Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the water when the wind blows across a large distance of water?

The water piles up on the downwind side of the ocean basin Signup and view all the answers

What causes the creation of a pressure gradient in the ocean basin?

The pile of water on the downwind side Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the water when it reaches the edge of the ocean basin?

It can't be dragged by the wind anymore Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the spinning of the planet have on the simple cases of high and low pressure in the water?

It complicates the flow of water from high to low pressure Signup and view all the answers