Physical Oceanography
Practice Test
1.
The area of the globe that receives the most solar radiation year round is called the __________?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
tropics
b.
temperate region
c.
north pole
d.
south pole
2.
What is the densest and coldest water mass of all Earth's oceans?
a.
North Atlantic deep water
b.
Antarctic intermediate water
c.
Gulf Stream
d.
Antarctic bottom water
3.
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
4.
What type of solid particles play a role in cloud formation?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
clay particles
b.
organic particles
c.
dust and salt particles
d.
extraterrestrial particles
5.
During the last Ice Age, which climates shown in this map grew the most?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
arid
b.
mediterranean
c.
tropical, wet
d.
ice cap
6.
__________ is used to measure the speed of raindrops toward or away from a specific point.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
Doppler radar
b.
a radiosonde
c.
A ceilometer
d.
ASOS
7.
Approximately how long is a sunspot cycle?
SC.E.1.4.1
a.
10,000 years
b.
100 years
c.
11 years
d.
14,000 years
8.
What instrument is used to measure temperature?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
a radiosonde
b.
an anemometer
c.
a thermometer
d.
a barometer
9.
What minimum length of time is used to make normals for an area?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
30 months
b.
30 years
c.
1 year
d.
10 years
10.
How is climate different than weather?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
Climate describes the long-term weather patterns.
b.
Weather is easier to predict.
c.
Weather is more variable.
d.
Climate describes only the average weather.
11.
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.
high, low
c.
high, high
d.
low, low
12.
Most scientists agree that __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
the greenhouse gases are decreasing
b.
global warming is occurring
c.
Earth's temperature is rising due to human effects
d.
Earth's temperature is decreasing due to natural effects
13.
What characterizes tropical climates of Köppen's classification?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
palm trees
b.
constant high temperatures
c.
little precipitation
d.
wet and dry zones
14.
When condensation takes place, __________ is released and __________ the air.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
latent particles, warms
b.
latent energy, cools
c.
latent heat, decreases the temperature of
d.
latent heat, warms
15.
What are wind-driven currents called?
a.
ocean currents
b.
density currents
c.
surface currents
d.
spring tides
16.
The increase in temperature caused by an increase of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere is called __________.
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
the ozone hole
b.
global warming
c.
the greenhouse effect
d.
El Nino
17.
What causes the air of a tropical storm to rotate?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
funnel clouds
b.
strong downbursts
c.
the Coriolis effect
d.
supercells
18.
What is the calm center of a hurricane called?
SC.D.1.4.1
a.
eyewall
b.
funnel cloud
c.
eye
d.
downburst
19.
What is the difference between low and high tide called?
SC.E.1.4.1
a.
full moon
b.
riptide
c.
tidal range
d.
neap tide
20.
When did the first modern oceanographic expedition occur?
a.
1500s
b.
early 1800s
c.
early 1950s
d.
late 1800s
