Earth Science Study Guides > Oceanography Study Guide > Flashcards

Oceanography Study Guide Flashcards

(47 cards)

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1
Q

What is the amount of dissolved salts in water?

A

salinity

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2
Q

Does the amount of salt ever change in the ocean?

A

no

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3
Q

Does the salinity of the ocean’s surface ever change?

A

yes

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4
Q

Which phase of the water cycle causes the salinity to decrease?

A

precipitation

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5
Q

Which phase of the water cycle causes the salinity to increase?

A

evaporation

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6
Q

What happens to the salinity of ocean water if you add fresh water?

A

it decreases

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7
Q

What happens to the salinity of ocean water if you take away fresh water?

A

it increases

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8
Q

What happens to temperature as you descend through the water column?

A

it decreases

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9
Q

What happens to pressure as you descend through the water column?

A

it increases

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10
Q

What happens to density as you descend through the water column?

A

it increases

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11
Q

What happens to light as you descend through the water column?

A

it decreases

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12
Q

What is the main cause of ocean waves?

A

wind

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13
Q

Does the water move toward shore with the wave?

A

No, the energy moves toward shore

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14
Q

How does a wave affect the water molecule as it passes over it?

A

The water moves in a circular motion

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15
Q

What is the highest point of a wave?

A

crest

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16
Q

What is the lowest point of a wave?

A

trough

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17
Q

What is the horizontal distance between wave crests?

A

wavelength

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18
Q

What is the vertical distance from trough to crest?

A

wave height

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19
Q

What is a large stream of moving water that flows through the ocean?

20
Q

What is the main cause of surface ocean currents?

21
Q

What is the largest and most powerful current in the North Atlantic Ocean?

Study These Flashcards
A

The Gulf Stream

22
Q

Why do the currents curve as they move?

Study These Flashcards
A

Because of the Earth’s rotation

23
Q

What is the effect of Earth’s rotation on the direction of winds and currents which causes them to curve?

Study These Flashcards
A

The Coriolis Effect

24
Q

How does the temperature of the current affect the temperature of the air above it?

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A

a warm current warms the air; a cold current cools the air

25
How does the presence of a warm or cold current affect the climate of the land near it?
A warm current creates a warmer climate; a cold current creates a cooler climate
26
What is the upward movement of cold water from the ocean depths?
upwelling
27
Why is upwelling necessary for live in the ocean?
Because it moves nutrients to the surface of the ocean
28
What causes tides?
The interaction of the sun, moon, and earth
29
What is the main cause of the regular motion of tides?
The moon's gravity
30
What is the term for a tide at its highest point?
high tide
31
What is the term for a tide at its lowest point?
low tide
32
How many hours occur between high tide and the next high tide?
12 hours
33
How many tides occur in one day (24 hours)?
2 tides
34
How many hours occur between low tide and the next low tide?
12 hours
35
How many low tides occur in one day (24 hours)?
2 tides
36
How many hours occur between high tide and low tide?
6 hours
37
If high tide occurs at 1:00 PM approximately when will the next high tide occur?
1:00 AM (add 12 hours)
38
If high tide occurs at 1:00 PM approximately when will the next low tide occur?
7:00 PM (add 6 hours)
39
How are high and low tides different when the sun, moon, and earth line up?
High tide is super high and low tide is super low
40
What type of tide occurs when the sun, moon, and earth line up?
Spring tide
41
Which type of tide occurs when tides have the greatest distance between high and low tide?
Spring Tide
42
How are high and low tides different when the sun and moon are at right angles with the earth?
High tide raises only a little, low tide lowers only a little
43
Which type of tide occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles with the earth?
Neap Tide
44
What type of tide occurs when there is very little difference between high and low tide?
Neap Tide
45
Name the features of the ocean floor from the coastline to the deep ocean.
Continental shelf, continental slope, abyssal plane, mid-ocean ridge
46
What is an underwater mountain?
Seamount
47
What is an underwater canyon?
Deep ocean trench
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