Waves/Currents
______ are rhythmic back-and-forth motions of water that transfer energy through the water.
Waves are rhythmic back-and-forth motions of water that transfer energy through the water.
What is composition?
Composition is a group of items that create sea water
What are surface currents?
Surface currents are currents caused by winds on the surface of the water.
What is a breaker?
A breaker is a wave that's bottom drags on the ocean floor as it nears the shore. At some point it is unable to maintain its stability so it topples or "breaks. Forming a breaker
What are tides and what are they caused by?
Tides are regular and predictable movements of water in the oceans. Tides are caused by the moons gravity and pull.
Gentle, rolling waves that may appear even during calm weather are called _____ ______.
Gentle, rolling waves that may appear even during calm weather are called ocean swells
What is Salinity?
Salinity is the measure of the quantity of dissolved solids in sea water
What are ocean currents?
Ocean currents are large streams of ocean water that flow as a unit at or below the surface of the water.
What is an ocean swell?
Ocean swells are gentle, rolling waves that originate from stormy areas far out in sea. They mellow out into gentle waves creating ocean swells.
What is a high tide and what causes it?
High tide are higher tides caused by the pull of the moons gravity. They form on the earths side closest to the moon as well as the side farthest from the moon.
What is a surf?
What is thermocline?
The boundary where cold, deep water meets the sun-warmed ocean's surface water is known as the thermocline.
What is a subsurface current?
A subsurface current is a current that flows below the surface.
What is the most dangerous current type?
Rip currents are surface currents that travel back to sea. Posing a serious threat because of their undertow.
What is low tide and what causes it?
Low tide are tides on the sides of the earth that in between the sun and moon
What 3 factors determine the size of a wave?
1. The speed of the wind
2. The length of time the wind blows
3. The expanse of open water over which the wind blows.
What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a hurricane wind made wave that can be as high as 70 ft tall. They can also be made by volcanic explosions, earthquakes, or landslides in the sea.
What is the Gulf Stream?
The Gulf Stream is a current created by the joining of several minor currents to form a massive current
What sea vessel takes advantage of water movement?
The submarine
What are spring tides?
Spring tides are tides that are accentuated when the sun and moon line up with the earth. Making high tides higher and low tides lower.
Name the 2 dangerous currents
What is El Nino?
A massive warming and other effects in the worlds weather system
What is the Peru or Humboldt Current?
The Humboldt Current is a cold current that flows thort along the western coast of South America
List the three factors that determine the size of waves
1. the speed of the wind
2. the length of time the wind blows
3. the expanse of open water over which the wind blows
What are neap tides?
Neap tides are tides that are weaker than normal thanks to the sun and moon not being lined up. They occur twice a month.