Physical Oceanography
Practice Test
1.
Which current shown in the map brings warm water to the east coast of the U.S.?
a.
North Atlantic Current
b.
Equatorial Countercurrent
c.
Gulf Stream
d.
Canary Current
2.
What can block solar radiation and have a short-term effect on climate?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
the ashes in the atmosphere from a volcanic eruption
b.
the wobble of Earth's axis
c.
the intensity of sunspots
d.
the shape of Earth's orbit
3.
When did the first modern oceanographic expedition occur?
a.
late 1800s
b.
early 1800s
c.
early 1950s
d.
1500s
4.
The natural heating of Earth's surface by the atmosphere is called __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
El Nino
b.
global warming
c.
the ozone hole
d.
the greenhouse effect
5.
The area of the globe that receives the most solar radiation year round is called the __________?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
south pole
b.
temperate region
c.
tropics
d.
north pole
6.
Approximately how long is a sunspot cycle?
SC.E.1.4.1
a.
100 years
b.
14,000 years
c.
11 years
d.
10,000 years
7.
What is the calm center of a hurricane called?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
downburst
b.
eyewall
c.
funnel cloud
d.
eye
8.
What zone lies between 23.5[degrees sign] and 66.5 [degrees sign] north and south of the equator?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
temperate zones
b.
polar zones
c.
tropic of Cancer
d.
tropics
9.
When condensation takes place, __________ is released and __________ the air.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
latent particles, warms
b.
latent heat, warms
c.
latent heat, decreases the temperature of
d.
latent energy, cools
10.
__________ is used to measure the speed of raindrops toward or away from a specific point.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
a radiosonde
b.
A ceilometer
c.
Doppler radar
d.
ASOS
11.
What minimum length of time is used to make normals for an area?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
1 year
b.
30 months
c.
30 years
d.
10 years
12.
The salinity of seawater is __________ over geologic time.
a.
constant
b.
increasing
c.
decreasing
d.
always changing
13.
What characterizes tropical climates of Köppen's classification?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
palm trees
b.
wet and dry zones
c.
constant high temperatures
d.
little precipitation
14.
What is one source of sodium ions found in the ocean?
a.
evaporation
b.
the shells of marine organisms
c.
volcanic gases
d.
ultraviolet radiation
15.
What determines the speed of waves in deep water?
a.
direction of waves
b.
wave height
c.
wavelength
d.
surface currents
16.
Large, rotating, low-pressure storms are called __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
tropical cyclones
b.
hail storms
c.
storm surge
d.
tornadoes
17.
What instrument is used to measure temperature?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
an anemometer
b.
a radiosonde
c.
a barometer
d.
a thermometer
18.
What type of solid particles play a role in cloud formation?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
clay particles
b.
dust and salt particles
c.
extraterrestrial particles
d.
organic particles
19.
During relatively warm times of Earth's geologic history, the volume of glacial ice was __________ and sea level was __________.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
low, high
b.
low, low
c.
high, high
d.
high, low
20.
Most scientists agree that __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
Earth's temperature is decreasing due to natural effects
b.
the greenhouse gases are decreasing
c.
global warming is occurring
d.
Earth's temperature is rising due to human effects
