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Earth Science Study Guides > Oceanography Study Guide > Flashcards

Oceanography Study Guide Flashcards

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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?

A

current

20
Q

What is the main cause of surface ocean currents?

A

wind

21
Q

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

A

The Gulf Stream

22
Q

Why do the currents curve as they move?

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?

A

The Coriolis Effect

24
Q

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

A

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

25
Q

How does the presence of a warm or cold current affect the climate of the land near it?

A

A warm current creates a warmer climate; a cold current creates a cooler climate

26
Q

What is the upward movement of cold water from the ocean depths?

A

upwelling

27
Q

Why is upwelling necessary for live in the ocean?

A

Because it moves nutrients to the surface of the ocean

28
Q

What causes tides?

A

The interaction of the sun, moon, and earth

29
Q

What is the main cause of the regular motion of tides?

A

The moon’s gravity

30
Q

What is the term for a tide at its highest point?

A

high tide

31
Q

What is the term for a tide at its lowest point?

A

low tide

32
Q

How many hours occur between high tide and the next high tide?

A

12 hours

33
Q

How many tides occur in one day (24 hours)?

A

2 tides

34
Q

How many hours occur between low tide and the next low tide?

A

12 hours

35
Q

How many low tides occur in one day (24 hours)?

A

2 tides

36
Q

How many hours occur between high tide and low tide?

A

6 hours

37
Q

If high tide occurs at 1:00 PM approximately when will the next high tide occur?

A

1:00 AM (add 12 hours)

38
Q

If high tide occurs at 1:00 PM approximately when will the next low tide occur?

A

7:00 PM (add 6 hours)

39
Q

How are high and low tides different when the sun, moon, and earth line up?

A

High tide is super high and low tide is super low

40
Q

What type of tide occurs when the sun, moon, and earth line up?

A

Spring tide

41
Q

Which type of tide occurs when tides have the greatest distance between high and low tide?

A

Spring Tide

42
Q

How are high and low tides different when the sun and moon are at right angles with the earth?

A

High tide raises only a little, low tide lowers only a little

43
Q

Which type of tide occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles with the earth?

A

Neap Tide

44
Q

What type of tide occurs when there is very little difference between high and low tide?

A

Neap Tide

45
Q

Name the features of the ocean floor from the coastline to the deep ocean.

A

Continental shelf, continental slope, abyssal plane, mid-ocean ridge

46
Q

What is an underwater mountain?

A

Seamount

47
Q

What is an underwater canyon?

A

Deep ocean trench

Earth Science Study Guides (3 decks)

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