Exam 6: Water and Ocean Structure

What contributes to the high biological activity and surface nutrients in southern polar waters?

How does the absorption of light provide heat energy in the ocean?

The liquid state of water is more efficient in the organization of water molecules than solid ice.

What effect does temperature and pressure have on the speed of sound when entering seawater?

What is the main reason for the stratification in the north polar waters?

The continuous removal of heat from water corresponds to a consistent decrease in temperature.

How is sound transmitted through a medium?

How is heat moved from the tropics to the poles? Be specific. How is most heat energy transported?

What is the name for a zone that decreases in temperature with depth?

What is thermal inertia?

The amount of heat generated does not always indicate a higher temperature.

How do water's thermostatic properties maintain global temperatures? Explain heat capacity and latent heat in your answer.

What allows water to be a polar molecule?

Only blue and green wavelengths pass through water in any appreciable quantity or distance.

Heat and temperature are synonymous terms.

Which statement is not true of the relationship between latitude and ocean characteristics?

What is the only substance to have a higher heat capacity than liquid water?

Explain how light and sound waves behave in seawater. What kind of effects do they have on inhabitants of the ocean?

The influence of water on global temperatures, due to water's thermal characteristics, prevent broad swings of temperature during the day and night.

The most stable layer in terms of temperature and density is the mixed layer.