How do prevailing winds produce ocean currents?(1 point) Responses The angle of Earth’s axis causes air movement. The angle of Earth’s axis causes air movement. Earth’s rotation causes air movement. Earth’s rotation 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. Heat from the sun causes circulation patterns of warm and cool air. Question 2 A)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. There is a concentration of magma rising at the equator. There is a concentration of magma rising at the equator. The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water. The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming 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. Question 3 A)How are ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere different from currents in the Southern Hemisphere?(1 point) Responses 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 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 always carry cold water. Currents in the Northern Hemisphere always carry cold water. Question 4 A)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 Warm water pools toward the west. Warm water pools toward the west. Areas of North America have a colder winter. Areas of North America have a colder winter. 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.
The correct answers are as follows:
1) Earth's rotation causes air movement.
2) The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.
3) Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.
4) Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.
The correct responses are:
Question 1: Earth's rotation causes air movement.
Question 2: The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.
Question 3: Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.
Question 4: Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.
Question 1: How do prevailing winds produce ocean currents?
The correct response is: Earth's rotation causes air movement.
Explanation:
Prevailing winds are large-scale winds that blow consistently in a particular direction over a region. These winds are primarily driven by the rotation of the Earth. As the Earth rotates, the air near the equator moves faster than the air near the poles. This difference in velocity creates a pattern of global wind circulation known as the atmospheric circulation cells. In these cells, warm air rises at the equator, moves towards the poles at higher altitudes, and then descends towards the surface at around 30 degrees north and south latitude. This descending air creates high-pressure regions at these latitudes.
The air flowing outwards from these high-pressure regions creates the trade winds, which blow from east to west towards the equator. These trade winds interact with the ocean surface, pushing the surface waters and generating ocean currents. In the Northern Hemisphere, the trade winds cause surface water to move to the right of the wind direction, creating clockwise ocean currents. In the Southern Hemisphere, the trade winds cause surface water to move to the left of the wind direction, creating counterclockwise ocean currents.
Question 2: Why do warm ocean currents begin at the equator?
The correct response is: The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.
Explanation:
The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight compared to other latitudes. This increased solar radiation results in higher temperatures at the equator, including the ocean surface. As the sun's energy heats the water, it causes the water molecules to become more energetic and expand, leading to a decrease in density. Less dense warm water tends to rise while cooler, denser water sinks.
This process creates a cycle known as thermohaline circulation, where warm surface water moves away from the equator towards the poles. At the same time, cooler water from higher latitudes sinks, forming deep ocean currents. These currents transport heat from the equator towards higher latitudes, warming the surrounding regions.
Question 3: How are ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere different from currents in the Southern Hemisphere?
The correct response is: Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a counterclockwise pattern.
Explanation:
Ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a counterclockwise pattern, while currents in the Southern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern. This difference is due to the Coriolis effect, which is caused by the rotation of the Earth.
The Coriolis effect deflects moving objects, such as air and water, to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, surface ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere are deflected to the right of the wind direction, causing them to move in a counterclockwise direction. In contrast, surface ocean currents in the Southern Hemisphere are deflected to the left of the wind direction, resulting in a clockwise movement.
Question 4: 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?
The correct response is: Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.
Explanation:
During El Niño years, trade winds weaken or reverse, preventing the usual westward movement of warm surface waters in the Pacific Ocean. Instead, warm currents travel eastward towards the coast of South America. This abnormal oceanic and atmospheric pattern disrupts the normal climate conditions and has significant impacts on weather patterns across the globe.
One of the key effects of an El Niño year is changes in temperature and precipitation. The warm currents that travel eastward bring high sea surface temperatures to the normally cool coastal waters of South America. This warm water can lead to increased evaporation, resulting in more moisture in the atmosphere and, consequently, more rainfall over the affected regions. This can cause flooding and other extreme weather events in certain areas.
El Niño conditions can also disrupt the normal distribution of warm and cold water across the Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns. For example, the altered oceanic and atmospheric conditions associated with El Niño can contribute to changes in rainfall patterns, droughts, and extreme weather events in different parts of the world, including North America.
Overall, the end result of the difference in an El Niño year is significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation that can have wide-ranging impacts on the climate and weather patterns.