Physical oceanography

Question 1

tidal period

Answer 1

time interval between successive high waters

Question 2

tidal range

Answer 2

vertical interval between high and low waters

Question 3

macrotide

Answer 3

> 4m

Question 4

mesotide

Answer 4

2-4m

Question 5

microtides

Answer 5

< 2m

Question 6

spring tides

Answer 6

larger tidal range (higher water, and lower low water)

Question 7

neap tides

Answer 7

lower tidal range

Question 8

diurnal inequality

Answer 8

A lower high water is followed by a higher high water. comes and goes twice a month.

Question 9

Lunar day length

Answer 9

24h and 50m

Question 10

Why daily/diurnal inequality?

Answer 10

because of tilt of the earth

Question 11

length of lunar cycle

Answer 11

29.53 days

Question 12

Tidal constituents

Answer 12

to interpret and predict the tidal deformations of planetary and satellite bodies and their atmospheres and oceans (especially Earth’s oceans) under the gravitational loading of another astronomical body or bodies (especially the Moon and Sun).

Question 13

High atmospheric pressure

Answer 13

pushes water level down

Question 14

Low atmospheric pressure

Answer 14

lifts water level up

Question 15

melting greenland an antarcitca:

Answer 15

greenland Little impact, Antarctica large impact.

Question 16

Why does melting of Antarctica have a large impact?

Answer 16

gravity effects. Ice mass attracts water, hence disappearing land ice gives a local drop in sea level and a higher rise elsewhere.

Question 17

potential temperature

Answer 17

Used to characterize water masses. The temperature a parcel would have if brought adiabatically to the surface.

Question 18

thermocline

Answer 18

sharp drop in temperature with depth

Question 19

salinity in top layer less stable because

Answer 19

evaporation and precipation

Question 20

earth receives short wave, emits

Answer 20

long wave