Ocean Motion
Practice Test
1.
The highest point of a wave is called the __________.
a.
peak
b.
crest
c.
trough
d.
breaker
Hint
2.
The Coriolis effect is caused by __________.
a.
temperature changes
b.
salinity changes
c.
density changes
d.
Earth's rotation
Hint
3.
Density currents cannot form by a(n) __________.
a.
windstorm
b.
sinking of cold water
c.
increase in salinity
d.
decrease in temperature
Hint
4.
Salinity measures the amount of __________ dissolved in seawater.
a.
salt
b.
hydrogen
c.
sodium
d.
oxygen
Hint
5.
Warm surface currents affect the water temperature along the __________ coast of continents.
a.
east
b.
south
c.
west
d.
north
Hint
6.
Low areas on Earth that filled with water to form oceans are called __________.
a.
valleys
b.
salinity
c.
basins
d.
lowlands
Hint
7.
When seawater freezes, which type of current is produced?
a.
density
b.
surface
c.
coastal
d.
upwelling
Hint
8.
Which of the following is NOT true regarding a wave passing through an area away from shore?
a.
Floating objects rise and fall with the wave but do not move forward.
b.
The energy of the wave continues to move forward.
c.
The water particles remain in the same place.
d.
Floating objects and water particles move forward.
Hint
9.
The lowest point of a wave is called the __________.
a.
trough
b.
crest
c.
shallow
d.
breaker
Hint
10.
Ocean water might have come from all of the following EXCEPT _________.
a.
volcanic eruptions
b.
torrential rains
c.
water vapor
d.
land basins
Hint
11.
Energy is carried through matter or space by a rhythmic movement called a __________.
a.
breaker
b.
crest
c.
wave
d.
tide
Hint
12.
Which gas that is found in ocean water does NOT come from the atmosphere?
a.
nitrogen
b.
chlorine
c.
oxygen
d.
carbon dioxide
Hint
13.
Which of the following statements about waves is NOT true?
a.
Waves continue to form as long as the wind is blowing.
b.
Waves can continue to increase in height as long as wind is there.
c.
Waves continue to move for long distances even after the wind stops.
d.
Waves can only travel a short distance before disappearing.
Hint
14.
Which of the following does NOT have an effect on the density of seawater?
a.
heating of water
b.
motion of water
c.
freezing of water
d.
evaporation of water
Hint
15.
The height of waves depends on all of the following EXCEPT __________.
a.
the speed of the wind
b.
the distance over which the wind blows
c.
the temperature of the water
d.
the length of time the wind blows
Hint
16.
Currents south of the equator are turned counterclockwise because of __________.
a.
the warm equator
b.
cold water rising
c.
the cold polar regions
d.
the Coriolis effect
Hint
17.
A __________ is a collapsing wave.
a.
breaker
b.
tide
c.
trough
d.
crest
Hint
18.
Tides are most noticeable __________.
a.
in small bodies of water
b.
in shallow bodies of water
c.
near the equator
d.
during spring tides
Hint
19.
When salt water changes in density, a(n) __________ occurs.
a.
Coriolis effect
b.
density current
c.
upwelling
d.
surface current
Hint
20.
Which gas enters the ocean by photosynthesis?
a.
carbon dioxide
b.
hydrogen
c.
nitrogen
d.
oxygen
Hint
