1
Which source provides the energy that causes most waves to form?
a. currents
b. earthquakes
c. sunlight
d. wind
d. wind
Which phrase describes the tidal range?
a. the cause for the rotation of wind in a circular pattern
b. the difference between levels of high tide and low tide
c. the water that flows away from the shore and moves sand with it
d. the difference between the times the high tide and low time come in
b. the difference between levels of high tide and low tide
Why are electrical outputs from a turbine generator highest during a spring tide?
a. A high tide comes in faster.
b. The gravitational pull of the moon is less.
c. The Sun and the moon pull in opposite directions.
d. The difference between high tide and low tide is the greatest.
d. The difference between high tide and low tide is the greatest.
How are currents in the Pacific Ocean affected by El Niño?
a. Currents travel more slowly.
b. Rip currents are frequently formed.
c. All currents become deep ocean currents.
d. Warm water moves to the east instead of to the west.
d. Warm water moves to the east instead of to the west.
Which type of energy turns tidal turbines to create electrical energy?
a. kinetic
b. potential
c. solar
d. thermal
a. kinetic
Which two words identify the scientific parts of a wave?
a. breaker and crest
b. crest and trough
c. current and breaker
d. drift and current
b. crest and trough
When will the waves at the shore be the smallest and calmest?
a. when the tide is receding
b. when upwelling occurs
c. when the wind is not blowing
d. when the tide is coming in
c. when the wind is not blowing
Which factor contributes to the formation of tides that turn turbines to create energy in the ocean?
a. wind speed
b. water density
c. Earth’s rotation
d. water temperature
c. Earth’s rotation
Convection refers to the movement of heat through a fluid, such as water. Which best describes one way that convection influences the circulation of ocean water?
a. Cold water at the surface flows toward the poles and sinks as it cools.
b. Deep, warm water flows toward the equator and rises as it cools.
c. Warm water at the surface flows toward the poles and sinks as it cools.
d. Deep, cold water flows toward the equator and rises as it cools.
c. Warm water at the surface flows toward the poles and sinks as it cools.
During which event is more energy produced compared to other days to turn a turbine?
a. El Niño
b. a tsunami
c. during a spring tide
d. during a low tide
c. during a spring tide
Which event causes tides?
a.the blowing of the wind
b.the movement of warm and cool water
c.the interaction of the moon, the Sun, and Earth
d. the mixing of surface water and deep ocean water
c. the interaction of the moon, the Sun, and Earth
Which phrase best describes surface currents?
a. up-and-down ocean movement caused by wind
b. sand
c. streams of warm water flowing through the ocean and caused by wind
waves that approach the shore and cause their d. crests to fall into their troughs
c. streams of warm water flowing through the ocean and caused by wind
Which phenomenon causes oceans to bulge?
a. the blowing wind
b. the Coriolis effect
c. the moon’s gravity
d. the rotation of Earth
c. the moon’s gravity
Which statement describes how convection moves heat in the ocean during non-El Niño (normal) years?
a. Convection moves heat toward the west.
b. Convection moves heat toward the east.
c. Convection moves heat toward the north.
d. Convection moves heat toward the south.
a. Convection moves heat toward the west.
Which is one way that spring tides are different from regular tides?
a. They occur twice a day.
b. They are caused by wind.
c. They happen along coastal areas.
d. They are extra-high tides and extra-low tides.
d. They are extra-high tides and extra-low tides.
Which factor drives surface ocean currents?
a. wind energy
b. solar energy
c. pull of the moon
d. movement of turbines
a. wind energy
Which ocean movement do power plants use to produce usable energy?
a. currents
b. drifts
c. tides
d. tsunamis
c. tides
Which phrase describes neap tides?
a. occur four times a day
b. produce extra-low tidal ranges
c. caused only by the pull of the moon
d. occur at the same time as spring tides
b. produce extra-low tidal ranges
Which is one characteristic of deep ocean currents?
a. Deep ocean currents move quickly.
b. Deep ocean currents are caused by winds.
c. Deep ocean currents move cold water toward the equator.
d. Deep ocean currents are affected by temperature but not by salinity.
c. Deep ocean currents move cold water toward the equator.
In which direction does wave energy travel in the ocean?
a. up and down
b. north and south
c. with the currents
d. toward the shore
d. toward the shore
Which best describes a tsunami?
a. large powerful wave caused by an earthquake
b. when the waves hit the shore at an angle and c. transport sand
d. alternating rise and fall of the ocean
an irregular climate event caused by ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean
a. large powerful wave caused by an earthquake
How frequently do most coastal areas experience high tides?
a. twice a day
b. twice a month
c. four times a day
d. four times a month
a. twice a day
Which statement explains what upwelling causes?
a. Upwelling causes tides to rise and fall.
b. Upwelling causes changes in the direction of currents.
c. Upwelling causes nutrients, minerals, and tiny organisms to rise.
d. Upwelling causes currents in the Pacific Ocean to change direction.
c. Upwelling causes nutrients, minerals, and tiny organisms to rise.
Which action causes breakers?
a. Waves hit the shore at an angle and transport sand.
b. Water flows away from the shore and moves sand with it.
c. Underwater earthquakes cause motion throughout ocean water.
d. Waves meet the shore and cause the crest to spill over the trough.
d. Waves meet the shore and cause the crest to spill over the trough.
Which describes one feature of deep ocean currents?
a. have lower-salinity water
b. carry warm water from the equator
b. have higher-temperature water
d. move more slowly than surface currents
d. move more slowly than surface currents