Physical Oceanography
Practice Test
1.
What is the densest and coldest water mass of all Earth's oceans?
a.
North Atlantic deep water
b.
Gulf Stream
c.
Antarctic bottom water
d.
Antarctic intermediate water
2.
Which current shown in the map brings warm water to the east coast of the U.S.?
a.
North Atlantic Current
b.
Gulf Stream
c.
Equatorial Countercurrent
d.
Canary Current
3.
What is one source of sodium ions found in the ocean?
a.
volcanic gases
b.
ultraviolet radiation
c.
the shells of marine organisms
d.
evaporation
4.
What is the thermocline?
a.
a transitional layer in the ocean where temperature decreases rapidly with depth
b.
a change in salinity with depth
c.
the formation of cold water coming from Antarctica
d.
a layer of cold water in the ocean
5.
What determines the speed of waves in deep water?
a.
wave height
b.
wavelength
c.
surface currents
d.
direction of waves
6.
When did the first modern oceanographic expedition occur?
a.
late 1800s
b.
early 1800s
c.
1500s
d.
early 1950s
7.
What is the difference between low and high tide called?
SC.E.1.4.1
a.
tidal range
b.
riptide
c.
neap tide
d.
full moon
8.
What are wind-driven currents called?
a.
density currents
b.
surface currents
c.
spring tides
d.
ocean currents
9.
Which element is not an ion found in ocean water?
a.
Ni
b.
K
c.
Cl
d.
Na
10.
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.
high, low
b.
low, low
c.
high, high
d.
low, high
11.
What type of technology is used to map the ocean floor?
a.
UV radiation
b.
submarines
c.
sonar
d.
GPS
12.
Why are salinities lower than average in some areas close to the equator?
a.
rapid evaporation
b.
abundant precipitation
c.
stronger winds
d.
larger clouds
