Sediments, Density and Currents

Question 1

the massive flow of water through Earth’s oceans.

Answer 1

ocean current

Question 2

rivers of water that move through the ocean’s surface

Answer 2

surface currents

Question 3

List the two main types of currents

Answer 3

surface currents and deep currents (subsurface)

Question 4

Where are surface currents found?

Answer 4

the surface

Question 5

What are two causes of surface currents?

Answer 5

the wind and the Coriolis effect

Question 6

winds that move from east to west, towards the equator.

Answer 6

trade winds

Question 7

winds that move from west to east, away from the equator.

Answer 7

westerlies

Question 8

List two main wind types

Answer 8

trade winds and westerlies

Question 9

the curving effect on winds and currents that results from Earth’s rotation

Answer 9

the Coriolis effect

Question 10

What is the direction of movement of surface ocean water in the northern hemisphere?

Answer 10

clockwise

Question 11

What is the direction of movement of surface ocean water in the southern hemisphere?

Answer 11

counterclockwise

Question 12

Does the Coriolis effect make sinks and toilets swirl in the opposite direction in the US and Australia when they drain?

Answer 12

NO

Question 13

Which currents are the result of differences in the density of ocean water?

Answer 13

deep currents

Question 14

What are the two causes of deep currents?

Answer 14

Salinity and temperature

Question 15

What word refers to the saltiness of ocean water?

Answer 15

salinity

Question 16

When salty water mixes with less salty water,, where does the salty water go and why?

Answer 16

it sinks because it is more dense

Question 17

When cold water mixes with warm water, where does the cold water go and why?

Answer 17

It sinks because it is more dense

Question 18

True or False: Surface currents and deep currents interact and trade places , moving water in a global pattern between the poles and the equator

Answer 18

TRUE

Question 19

List two reasons ocean currents are important

Answer 19

They create weather patterns
They distribute food, nutrients, reproductive cells, larva for coral sponges

Question 20

a process in which deep, cold water rises to the surface.

Answer 20

upwelling

Question 21

tiny, plant-like organisms that cannot swim against current and use sunlight to make their own food by photosynthesis

Answer 21

Phytoplankton

Question 22

animal-like organisms that drift in the water and feed on other organisms.

Answer 22

zooplankton