Physical Oceanography
Practice Test
1.
What type of instrument probably was not used to provide the information in the station model pictured in the figure?
a.
thermometer
b.
Doppler radar
c.
barometer
d.
anemometer
2.
Approximately how long is a sunspot cycle?
a.
11 years
b.
14,000 years
c.
100 years
d.
10,000 years
3.
How is climate different than weather?
a.
Weather is more variable.
b.
Climate describes only the average weather.
c.
Climate describes the long-term weather patterns.
d.
Weather is easier to predict.
4.
Most scientists agree that __________.
a.
Earth's temperature is rising due to human effects
b.
Earth's temperature is decreasing due to natural effects
c.
the greenhouse gases are decreasing
d.
global warming is occurring
5.
What type of instrument is used to measure wind speed?
a.
a barometer
b.
a ceilometer
c.
an anemometer
d.
a hygrometer
6.
What can block solar radiation and have a short-term effect on climate?
a.
the intensity of sunspots
b.
the shape of Earth's orbit
c.
the ashes in the atmosphere from a volcanic eruption
d.
the wobble of Earth's axis
7.
What is an example of a phenomenon that occurs in a microclimate?
a.
hail
b.
temperatures that are above normal
c.
lake-effect snow
d.
warm summers and cold winters
8.
What type of solid particles play a role in cloud formation?
a.
dust and salt particles
b.
clay particles
c.
organic particles
d.
extraterrestrial particles
9.
Which current shown in the map brings warm water to the east coast of the U.S.?
a.
Canary Current
b.
North Atlantic Current
c.
Equatorial Countercurrent
d.
Gulf Stream
10.
Deserts commonly are found on the leeward sides of mountains because of __________.
a.
the drop of temperature with altitude
b.
their proximity to large bodies of water
c.
sea breezes
d.
orogenic lifting
11.
The density of seawater is dependent on __________.
a.
salinity and temperature
b.
salinity only
c.
temperature only
d.
temperature and currents
12.
What region are meteorological normals correctly describing?
a.
Only the specific place where the meteorologic data were collected.
b.
The entire state where the meteorologic data were collected.
c.
Only the specific climate zone where the meteorologic data were collected.
d.
All the area within a 50 mile radius of where the meteorologic data were collected.
13.
How are seas different from oceans?
a.
Seas are deeper and in lower latitudes.
b.
Seas are smaller and mostly landlocked.
c.
seas are larger.
d.
Seas support a wider variety of marine life.
14.
Where do the disturbances that cause tropical storms originate?
a.
the ITCZ or from tropical waves
b.
near the Gulf Stream
c.
the Pacific Ocean only
d.
tornado alley
15.
Large, rotating, low-pressure storms are called __________.
a.
hail storms
b.
tornadoes
c.
storm surge
d.
tropical cyclones
16.
How are clouds formed?
a.
when warm moist air is forced to rise over a mountain
b.
when warm air is forced up in a convection current
c.
all of these answers are correct
d.
when two air masses of different temperatures meet
17.
What is the cause of ocean layering?
a.
density differences
b.
currents
c.
evaporation
d.
polar ice caps
18.
The increase in temperature caused by an increase of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere is called __________.
a.
the greenhouse effect
b.
El Nino
c.
the ozone hole
d.
global warming
19.
What type of technology is used to map the ocean floor?
a.
submarines
b.
UV radiation
c.
sonar
d.
GPS
20.
What are wind-driven currents called?
a.
spring tides
b.
ocean currents
c.
density currents
d.
surface currents
