Science Test 1 Flashcards
It is thought that the oceans may have originated from water vapor escaping from this
Igneous Rock
A process that adds to the saltiness of the oceans
Erosion
The ocean´s bottom zone
Benthic
These elements together comprise about 85% of the salts in ocean water
Chlorine and Sodium
The total salt content measured in parts by thousand
Salinity
When salt is added to water the ________ is lowered
Freezing Point
His laws of gravity helps explain why the earth experiences tides
Isaac Newton
Tide-generating forces are a result of the attraction between the earth and the ______
Moon
As the moon rotates around the earth, _____ are created
Tidal Bulges
This force opposite the moon results in a secondary bulge on the opposite side of the earth
Centrifugal Force
These are the result of full and new moon phases
Spring Tides
These tides are the result of first and third quarter moon phases
Neap Tide
A strong current caused by tidal flow in confined areas such as inlets and presents a hazard to swimmers and boaters
Riptide
A force that stretches toward and away from the center of mass of another body due to a gradient in gravity fields
Tidalforce
Situation when an object´s orbital period matches its rotational period
Tidal Locking
When the moon is either new or full and is closest to the earth causing an unusually high tide
Proxigean Tide
Large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by global density gradients created by surface heat and fresh water fluxes
Thermohaline Circulation
This movement of water is primarily due to the wind
Surface Currents
These blow from east to west and are a result of heated air from the tropics traveling to the poles
Tradewinds
These wind currents blow from west to east
Westerlies
In the Northern Hemisphere, wind-driven currents move ____________
Clockwise
He was the first to map the Gulf Stream, one of the strongest currents known
Benjamin Franklin
These are caused by the friction of wind blowing across the water
Waves
The distance along open water over which the wind blows
Fetch
The highest part of the wave
Crest
The lowest part of the wave
Trough
The distance between the crest and the trough
Wave Height
The distance from crest to crest
Wavelength
The time it takes for succeeding crests to pass a point
Period of a wave
The zone compromised with the water itself (the water column)
Pelagic
The zone deeper than 600 ft.
Oceanic
The zone that has enough light for photosynthesis
Euphotic
The zone with little light penetration
Disphotic
The zone devoid of light
Aphotic
______ ´dead zones´ are devoid of oxygen
Hypoxic
The place where and organism makes its home
Habitat
_______ is a process in which plants utilize energy from the sun to make food
Photosynthesis
An essential element to marine mollusks, corals, and crustaceans
Calcium
The saltier the water, the more _________ there is
Buoyancy
