Intro to planet ocean

Question 1

how much longer on average does the ocean take to heat up than the land

Answer 1

five times longer

Question 2

how much more heat does the ocean store than land

Answer 2

five times more

Question 3

how fast are waves in comparison to their driver (the wind)

Answer 3

3% the speed of the wind

Question 4

what type of force is the coriolis force

Answer 4

pseudo force

Question 5

give the five main characteristics of the coriolis force

Answer 5

1. only acts on a particle in motion
2. increases with latitude
3. increases with velocity
4. acts at a right angle to motion
5. deflects to the right in the NH and the left in the SH

Question 6

what does the coriolis force explain

Answer 6

how motion is perceived relative to a frame of reference

Question 7

explain Ekman transport

Answer 7

energy is dissipated at each layer down in an Ekman spiral, causing each layer to turn at an angle. the surface current it 45 degrees to the wind while overall water transport is 90 degrees. caused by a balance of coriolis effect and friction

Question 8

how are winds named

Answer 8

the direction theyre coming from

Question 9

how are currents named

Answer 9

the direction theyre going

Question 10

explain how ocean gyres are formed as a process of ekman transport

Answer 10

north east winds drive the sea north westerly, westerlies drive the sea south easterly. the two water bodies push together in ocean water convergence and form an ocean fyre due to geostrophic flow.

Question 11

what is geostrophic flow

Answer 11

balance between pressure gradient force and the coriolis force

Question 12

what direction do gyres flow in the northern hemisphere

Answer 12

clockwise

Question 13

what direction do gyres flow in the sh

Answer 13

anticlockwise

Question 14

name 2 sh gyres

Answer 14

south pacific, south atlantic

Question 15

name 3 nh gyres

Answer 15

north atlantic gyre, north pacific gyre

Question 16

explain circulation in the NH

Answer 16

western parts of ocean basins are warmer and form western boundary current that carries hot water poleward. eastern parts draw cold water towards equator. gyres are displaced towards the west. waters flow faster, narrower and deeper in the west due to steeper

Question 17

name an industry that relies on upwelling

Answer 17

the Peruvian anchovy fishery is built on nutrient rich water from the upwelling