PHS109 Exam 2 Outline
Main outcomes and objectives for Exam 2 material are for students to be able to:
1. Describe atmosphere and ocean interactions for various phenomena
(Chapter 6).
a. Explain variations in solar radiation on Earth, including the cause of
Earth's seasons.
b. Describe the physical properties of the atmosphere.
c. Explain the Coriolis effect, including its causes and effects on
atmospheric and oceanic flow.
d. Explain global atmospheric circulation patterns.
e. Describe oceanic weather and climate patterns, including hurricanes.
f. Describe how sea ice and icebergs are formed.
g. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of harnessing winds as a source
of energy.
2. Explain ocean motion at different scales (Chapters 7-9).
a. Explain how ocean currents are formed, measured and organized.
b. Describe upwelling and the conditions that produce it.
c. Describe the main circulation patterns in each ocean basin.
d. Discuss the origin and characteristics of deep-ocean currents.
e. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of harnessing currents as a
source of energy.
f. Explain how waves are generated and how they move.
g. Describe the characteristics of a wave.
h. Discuss how wind-generated waves develop.
i. Explain how waves change in the surf zone.
j. Describe the origin and characteristics of tsunami.
k. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of harnessing waves as a source
of energy.
l. Describe the forces that cause ocean tides.
m. Explain how tides vary during a monthly tidal cycle.
n. Discuss what tides look like in the ocean.
o. Compare the characteristics and locations of the three types of tidal
patterns.
p. Describe tidal phenomena that occur in coastal regions.
q. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of harnessing tides as a source of
energy.
6. Describe the features and processes along ocean coasts (Chapter 10).
a. Describe how coastal regions are defined by using appropriate
terminology.
b. Explain how sand moves on a beach.
c. Describe the characteristics features of erosional and depositional
shores.
d. Discuss how changes in sea level produce emerging and submerging
shorelines.
e. Compare the characteristics of U.S. coasts.
f. Describe the types of hard stabilization and explain various alternatives.