Term
| Describe the dipolar structure of the water molecule and how this aids in dissolving substances. |
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Definition
| Water molecules are made up of 2 Hydrogen atoms and 1 Oxygen atom. They are clustered together in the shape of "Mickey Mouse" ears. The hydrogen atoms give off a positive charge, and the oxygen atoms give off a negative charge. When combined with other substances, the atoms break up and reattach to the molecules of whatever is being dissolved. |
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Term
| Why is ice less dense than water? |
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Definition
| Because the molecules form hexagonic structures when they freeze, leaving space between the atoms, making it less dense. |
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Term
| At what temperature is water most dense? |
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Definition
| Just before freezing - 4degrees. |
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Term
| What controls surface water temperature throughout the world's oceans? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is salinity and what is the average salinity of seawater? |
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Definition
| Salinity is the total amount of solid material dissolved in water. The average salinity of seawater is 3.5%. |
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Term
| What are the two must abundant elements dissolved in seawater? |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe how four major processes affect ocean salinity. |
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Definition
| Evaporation and Forming Glaciers add salinity; Precipitation and melting glaciers reduce salinity. |
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Term
| How do changes in temperature and salinity affect the density of seawater? |
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Definition
| Temperature drives processes that change salinity. The cooler the temperature, the greater the density. The more salinity, the greater the density. |
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Term
| What is a thermocline and how does it develop differently in different climates? |
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Definition
| A thermocline is the range of depth in the ocean below which there is a rapid change in temperature. In polar waters, there is no thermocline. In tropical waters, there is. The thermocline acts like a barrier, preventing surface water and deep water from mixing. (It is created by the sun's rays not reaching below a certain point.) |
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Term
| What causes uneven solar heating on the Earth? |
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Definition
| The angle of the sun's direct rays on the planet. |
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Term
| How does air density vary with air temperature? |
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Definition
| The warmer the air, the lower the density. The colder the air, the higher the density. |
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Term
| What causes air masses to move horizontally? (What causes winds?) |
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Definition
| Variations in air pressure. Areas of high air pressure always seek to move to areas of low air pressure to even out. |
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Term
| How is a pressure gradient created? |
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Definition
| Winds are the result of pressure gradients. There are areas of High pressure and areas of Low pressure. The air pulls downward and out in areas of high pressure. The air pulls up and out in areas of low pressure, causing a constant cycle. |
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Term
| Explain how air masses would move on a non-rotating Earth. |
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Definition
| The cold air would sink and the warm air would rise. The air from the poles would move toward the equator, and the air from the equator would move toward the poles, creating a cycle. |
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Term
| How does air generally move at the equator? Why? |
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Definition
| There is no wind. The air is rising, because warm air rises since it's less dense. |
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Term
| What is the Coriolis effect? |
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Definition
| Anything that moves and has mass bears to its right. |
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Term
| Why is there generally very little wind at the equator? |
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Definition
| Because it's not between pressure systems. |
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Term
| How do local wind patterns, such as sea breezes and land breezes form? |
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Definition
| Influenced by variations in topography, land use, and water bodies. Sea breeze = land heats up faster than the ocean. Land breeze = land cools down faster than the ocean. |
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Term
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Definition
Fictional drag between wind and ocean - plus distribution of continents, gravity, and coriolis effect.
(Gyre = large circular loops of moving water.) |
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Term
| What is the Ekman spiral and Ekman transport? |
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Definition
The Ekman spiral = each successive layer of water moves more to its right, forming a spiral.
The Ekman transport = movement of ocean surface water due to wind (90 degrees to the Right). |
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Term
| What forms the "mound" of water within the gyre and why is it not located in the middle of the gyre? |
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Definition
| The Ekman transport and the Earth's rotation form the mound. It is not located in the center due to the Coriolis effect. |
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Term
| How and why are western boundary currents different from eastern boundary currents? |
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Definition
| Western boundary currents are faster and deeper than eastern boundary currents because of western intensification. |
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Term
| What is western intensification and what causes it? |
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Definition
| Because the earth rotates faster than the water moves, so water pushes up against the continents, causing a narrower path - forcing the water to move faster and deeper. |
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Term
| How do surface currents influence the weather in San Francisco and Washington D.C.? |
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Definition
| They transport heat energy. The cold ocean currents carry cold air, which makes the climate colder. |
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Term
| How do changes in temperature and salinity drive deep-ocean circulation? |
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Definition
| All deep-ocean currents start at the surface, then gravity pulls them down once they become dense enough. Temperature and salinity drive surface water density. |
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Term
| How can a change in the thermohaline circulation affect Earth's climate? |
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Definition
Cold surface water sinks near polar regions and moves toward equator.
Upwelling and downwelling could cause glaciers to form or melt, causing and Ice Age or global warming. |
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