How do prevailing winds produce ocean currents?(1 point)
Responses
Earth’s rotation causes air movement.
Earth’s rotation causes air movement.
The angle of Earth’s axis causes air movement.
The angle of Earth’s axis causes air movement.
Tornadoes cause circulation patterns of warm and cool air.
Tornadoes cause circulation patterns of warm and cool air.
Heat from the sun causes circulation patterns of warm and cool air.
None of these responses correctly describe how prevailing winds produce ocean currents.
Prevailing winds produce ocean currents through the frictional drag between the moving air and the surface of the ocean. As the wind blows across the surface of the ocean, it imparts some of its energy to the water, causing it to move in the same direction as the wind. This creates a surface current. Additionally, the Coriolis effect, resulting from the rotation of the Earth, also influences the direction of ocean currents generated by prevailing winds.
Why do warm ocean currents begin at the equator?(1 point)
Responses
The volcanic activity at the equator heats up the water.
The volcanic activity at the equator heats up the water.
Heat rises from the southern pole and is warmest in the middle of the globe.
Heat rises from the southern pole and is warmest in the middle of the globe.
The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.
The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.
There is a concentration of magma rising at the equator.
The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.
This response is correct. The equator receives more direct sunlight than other parts of the globe due to its position and the curvature of the Earth. As a result, the water at the equator is heated, creating warm ocean currents.
How are ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere different from currents in the Southern Hemisphere?(1 point)
Responses
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere always carry warm water.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere always carry warm water.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a counterclockwise pattern.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a counterclockwise pattern.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere always carry cold water.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.
This response is incorrect. In the Northern Hemisphere, ocean currents tend to move in a counterclockwise pattern. This is due to the Coriolis effect, which is caused by the rotation of the Earth. The Coriolis effect causes moving fluids, including ocean currents, to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in counterclockwise circulation patterns. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, ocean currents tend to move in a clockwise pattern due to the Coriolis effect.
In an El Niño year, trade winds are too weak to send warm currents west. Instead, warm currents travel east into South America. What is the end result of this difference in an El Niño year?(1 point)
Responses
Equatorial winds are particularly strong.
Equatorial winds are particularly strong.
Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.
Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.
Warm water pools toward the west.
Warm water pools toward the west.
Areas of North America have a colder winter.
Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.
This response is correct. During an El Niño year, the weak trade winds fail to push warm currents westward as they normally do. Instead, the warm currents travel eastward towards South America, leading to significant changes in temperature and precipitation patterns in affected areas. This can result in altered weather patterns, such as increased rainfall in western South America and drier conditions in the western Pacific.
What directly causes the pressure difference between the equator and the poles?(1 point)
Responses
the direction where wind blows
the direction where wind blows
the length of each season
the length of each season
the rotation of Earth on its axis
the rotation of Earth on its axis
the amount of heat in each area
the amount of heat in each area
This response is correct. The pressure difference between the equator and the poles is directly caused by the difference in heat distribution. The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, leading to warmer temperatures and lower air pressure. In contrast, the poles receive less sunlight and are colder, resulting in higher air pressure. This difference in temperature and pressure creates a gradient, which drives the movement of air and the formation of wind.
Why is the equator region the hottest part of Earth’s surface?(1 point)
Responses
The equator region is closest to the sun.
The equator region is closest to the sun.
The rays of the sun hit the equator region at an angle.
The rays of the sun hit the equator region at an angle.
The equator region has the widest diameter.
The equator region has the widest diameter.
The sun shines directly on the equator region.