Name _________________________________________________ Period _______ Date ____________________
Oceans and Climate Study Guide
Multiple Choice
_B___ 1. Ocean salinity is usually expressed in ____.
a. parts per billion
c. charts
b. parts per thousand
d. chemical formulas
_A___ 2. What is the most abundant salt in the sea?
a. sodium chloride
c. magnesium chloride
b. calcium chloride
d. potassium chloride
_C___ 3. What is the principal source of dissolved substances in the oceans?
a. infiltration
c. weathering
b. outgassing
d. evaporation
_B___ 4. What is the second major source of elements in seawater?
a. meteorites
c. lakes
b. Earth’s interior
d. solar radiation
_A___ 5. The highest salinity would be found in which of the following areas?
a. an area with high rates of evaporation
b. an area with plenty of runoff
c. an area with high rates of precipitation
d. all of the above
_C___ 6. The ocean layer of rapid temperature change with depth is known as the ____.
a. mixed zone
c. thermocline
b. trophic level
d. deep zone
_C___ 7. Which layer of the ocean experiences a rapid change in density with depth?
a. mixed zone
c. pycnocline
b. deep zone
d. thermocline
_B___ 8. What is density?
a. mass-per-unit area
c. weight-per-unit volume
b. mass-per-unit volume
d. weight-per-unit mass
_B___ 9. In addition to salinity, what factor affects the density of seawater?
a. depth
c. latitude
b. temperature
d. salt content
_C___ 10. Most ocean water is located in which zone?
a. mixed zone
c. deep zone
b. transition zone
d. surface zone
_B___ 11. Which of the following is NOT a zone in the three-layered structure of the ocean relating to density?
a. surface mixed zone
c. transition zone
b. intertidal zone
d. deep zone
_C___ 12. Where would you find the lowest density seawater?
a. abyssal zone
c. surface mixed zone
b. transition zone
d. deep zone
_A___ 13. Ocean currents that move toward the poles are ____.
a. warm
b. cold
c. warm in the Northern Hemisphere and cold in the Southern Hemisphere
d. cold in the Northern Hemisphere and warm in the Southern Hemisphere
_C___ 14. What is true about an ocean current that is moving toward the equator?
a. It is fast.
c. It is cold.
b. It is slow.
d. It is warm.
_C___ 15. Which of the following is NOT associated with upwelling?
a. increased plankton population
b. increased nutrients at the ocean surface
c. horizontal water movements
d. vertical water movements
_D___ 16. Which process does NOT decrease the salinity of water?
a. precipitation
c. melting of sea ice
b. runoff from land
d. formation of sea ice
_D___ 17. Which of the following can cause an increase in the density of ocean water?
a. an increase in salinity
c. a decrease in ocean circulation
b. a decrease in temperature
d. both a and b
_B___ 18. According to the conveyor belt model of ocean circulation, what happens when water reaches the poles?
a. The temperature of the water increases.
b. The salinity of the water decreases.
c. The salinity of the water increases.
d. The density of the water decreases.
_A___ 19. What happens to the intensity of solar energy as latitude increases?
a. It decreases.
c. It stays the same.
b. It increases.
d. It doubles.
_D___ 20. Which region is located between 23.5° north and south of the equator?
a. polar zone
c. desert zone
b. temperate zone
d. tropical zone
_B___ 21. In polar areas, solar radiation strikes Earth at a ____.
a. greater angle than at the tropics
c. large angle
b. small angle
d. right angle
_B___ 22. The rain shadow effect is associated with ____.
a. rivers
c. latitude
b. mountains
d. oceans
_A___ 23. The leeward side of a mountain is often ____.
a. dry
c. wet
b. cold
d. hot
_D___ 24. What is the relationship between elevation and climate?
a. The lower the elevation is, the colder the climate.
b. The higher the elevation is, the warmer the climate.
c. There is no relationship between elevation and climate.
d. The higher the elevation is, the colder the climate.
_D___ 25. Increased altitude generally causes lower ____.
a. rainfall amounts
c. relative humidity
b. wind velocities
d. temperatures
_C___ 26. How would the climate of a coastal city differ from that of a city at the same latitude located farther inland?
a. The coastal city would have hotter summers.
b. The coastal city would have colder winters.
c. The coastal city would have cooler summers.
d. They are at the same latitude so their climates would not differ.
_D___ 27. What two factors are used to classify climate in the Köppen climate classification system?
a. temperature and air pressure
c. precipitation and location
b. elevation and latitude
d. temperature and precipitation
_D___ 28. Which of the following is NOT a principal group in the Köppen system?
a. humid tropical climate
c. dry climate
b. polar climate
d. west coast climate
_C___ 29. What factor defines all groups in the Köppen system, with the exception of dry climates?
a. air pressure
c. precipitation
b. evaporation
d. Temperature
_C___ 30. Which type of climate has no winters?
a. dry
c. humid tropical
b. polar
d. highland
_C___ 31. What factor distinguishes wet tropical climates from tropical wet and dry climates?
a. large bodies of water
c. precipitation
b. mountain ranges
d. temperature
_D___ 32. According to Figure 21-1, which statement best describes precipitation patterns for St. Louis, Missouri?
a. There is a distinct dry period.
b. Monthly rates of precipitation never exceed 10 cm.
c. Summer months are wettest.
d. Most precipitation falls during winter.
_D___ 33. According to Figure 21-1, which statement best describes temperature patterns for St. Louis, Missouri?
a. The coldest month is February.
b. There is little seasonal variation in temperature.
c. The temperature range is approximately 45C.
d. High temperatures average around 28C.
_D___ 34. In dry climates, rates of evaporation exceed ____.
a. average temperatures
c. number of sunny days
b. rates of condensation
d. rates of precipitation
_D___ 35. Polar climates are characterized by ____.
a. warm summers
c. heavy precipitation
b. thick vegetation
d. low rates of evaporation
_A___ 36. Which climate experiences seasonal periods of unending night?
a. polar
c. humid mid-latitude
b. highland
d. humid tropical
_D___ 37. In general, how do highland climates compare to nearby areas at lower elevations?
a. They are warmer and wetter.
c. They are cooler and wetter.
b. They are warmer and drier.
d. They are cooler and drier.
_B___ 38. How do highland climates differ from polar climates?
a. Highland climates receive little snow.
b. Highland climates are localized.
c. Highland climates are treeless.
d. Highland climates have long summers.
_B___ 39. Which of the following may cause long-term changes in climate?
a. changes in ocean circulation
c. volcanic eruptions
b. changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit
d. changes in solar output
_A___ 40. How does volcanic ash in Earth’s atmosphere affect solar radiation?
a. It increases the amount of solar radiation that is reflected into space.
b. It increases the amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth’s surface.
c. It increases the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed by oceans and lakes.
d. all of the above
_B___ 41. A very small tilt in Earth’s axis would likely cause ____.
a. short-term climate changes
b. small seasonal variations in temperature
c. large seasonal variations in temperature
d. no climate changes
_A___ 42. What phenomenon naturally warms Earth’s lower atmosphere and surface?
a. the greenhouse effect
c. global warming
b. changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit
d. the formation of sunspots
_B___ 43. Which of the following is NOT true of greenhouse gases?
a. They are produced solely by human activities.
b. They include carbon dioxide and water vapor.
c. They are transparent to incoming solar radiation.
d. They absorb Earth’s radiation.
_D___ 44. What is the relationship between fossil fuels and the greenhouse effect?
a. Burning fossil fuels decreases the absorption capacity of greenhouse gases.
b. Burning fossil fuels lowers the greenhouse effect.
c. Burning fossil fuels decreases incoming solar radiation.
d. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
_C___ 45. Which of the following is an example of human impact on climate changes?
a. changes in the tilt of Earth’s axis
c. global warming
b. the greenhouse effect
d. changes in solar output
_D___ 46. Shoreline erosion and coastal flooding are two consequences of ____.
a. volcanic eruptions
c. the greenhouse effect
b. increased rates of evaporation
d. a global rise in sea level
_B___ 47. Which statement best explains why global warming may lead to an increase in the number and intensity of
hurricanes?
a. Sea level will rise.
b. Ocean temperatures will increase.
c. The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will increase.
d. Droughts will decrease.
_D___ 48. Which of the following is NOT a possible consequence of global warming?
a. more frequent and intense droughts
c. more frequent and intense hurricanes
b. rising sea level
d. reduction in secondary pollutants
Completion
49. __Salinity________________ is the total amount of solid material dissolved in water.
50. In the ocean, high salinities are found where evaporation is ___greater______________________.
51. The ocean’s surface water temperature varies with the amount of solar radiation received, which is primarily a
function of ___latitude______________________.
52. The surface zone usually extends to about ___300___________________ meters, but it may be as deep as
________450_________________ meters.
53. Processes that increase the density of seawater include ___salinity___________ and
___temperature______________________.
54. In temperate zones, the length of daylight in the __summer_________ is much greater than in the
____winter_____________________.
55. By the time air moves up a mountain’s slope and reaches the leeward side of the mountain, much of its
__moisture/precipitation_______________________ is lost.
56. Places downwind of a large body of water generally have __cooler_______________________ summers and
___warmer______________________ winters than places at the same latitude that are farther inland.
57. The Köppen climate classification system uses mean monthly and annual values of
__temperature_______________________ and ___precipitation______________________.
58. The formation of sunspots appears to correspond with __colder__________________ periods in Europe and
North America.
59. With the rapid growth of industry over the past 200 years, great quantities of _carbon dioxide______________
have been added to the atmosphere.
60. An increase in temperatures worldwide is known as __global warming_______________________.
61. Global warming could cause a(n) ___rise______________________ in sea level.
Short Answer
62. Which processes decrease the salinity of seawater?
Runoff from land, precipitation, melting of icebergs, melting of sea ice
63. Which processes increase the salinity of seawater?
Evaporation, formation of sea ice
64. In Figure 15-2, which ocean zone does Point C represent?
Deep zone
65. Describe the temperature in the part of the ocean represented by Point B in Figure 15-2.
Rapid change in temperature with depth
66. What are gyres?
Large circular surface currents in every ocean
67. What is upwelling?
the rising of cold water from deeper layers to replace warmer surface water that has been moved away
68. How do the sun’s rays strike the equator?
Directly overhead/90°
69. What is the relationship between elevation and precipitation?
The higher the elevation, the less precipitation
70. Which of the two cities, located at the same latitude, would have the hotter summer: the one situated on the coast
or the one situated farther inland?
inland
71. Describe temperature and precipitation ranges in humid tropical climates.
There is very little range in the temperatures or in the amount of precipitation.
72. Why does Earth’s lower atmosphere cool following a volcanic eruption?
The ash from the eruption blocks solar radiation from reaching the Earth’s surface and reflects it back out into
space which cools the Earth.
73. How is the greenhouse effect related to global warming?
The greenhouse effect is like putting a blanket on Earth to keep it warm. When too many gases are released into
the atmosphere, they act like extra blankets, trapping too much heat in and raising the temperature at the Earth’s
surface.
Essay
74. Earth can be divided into three zones based on differences in incoming solar radiation. Identify these zones.
Describe their location and general climate. Also, discuss how the sun’s energy strikes each zone.
The tropic zone is from 23.5°N to 23.5°S. Solar radiation strikes the Earth at a direct (90°) angle which means the
tropics receive strong sunlight which keeps the temperatures warm to hot year-round. The temperate zone runs
from 23.5°N to 66.5°N and 23.5°S to 66.5°S. Solar radiation strikes the Earth at a smaller angle than the tropics
so the strength of the sunlight is less. Temperate zones (which we live in) have warmer and colder seasons due to
the less intense solar radiation. Polar zones run from 66.5°N and S to the North and South Poles. They receive
sunlight at a very shallow angle so is has very little intensity which means the climate is cool/cold year-round.
75. How does the burning of fossil fuels influence global temperature? How might the change in temperature affect
other parts of Earth, such as the hydrosphere and biosphere?
Burning more fossil fuels puts more greenhouse gases (gases which trap solar radiation) into the atmosphere.
Thus the Earth’s surface temperature rises. As the air temperature rises, the temperature of the Earth’s oceans
rises. Warmer oceans mean sea level rise and flooding. Warmer oceans disrupt food chains resulting in
overgrowth of some organisms and extinction of others.