The quiz consists of a) 15 short answer and b) one written question. The quiz topics for the 15 short answer questions are listed below. Of these 15 questions, in general, the first seven questions are from the lecture notes, questions 8-11 are from the first readings discussion of this quiz period, and questions 12-15 are from the second readings discussion. The questions from the lecture notes will have one or two of the math problems covered in lecture.
The potential written questions are listed below.
Eight quiz questions will come from the readings discussion questions: four from the first readings discussion and four from the second readings discussion.
Tides
Foundations of Life in the Oceans
Seven quiz questions will come from the lecture notes, including at least one math problem.
List the two types of currents.
Explain why Earth has wind-driven surface currents.
Explain why Earth has thermohaline currents.
Do currents always flow in the same direction?
Which two wind belts form the primary surface currents?
Give the primary feature of surface circulation.
Which current forms subtropical gyres?
Define Ekman spiral.
Which type of stress sets the water into motion?
Which part of the ocean is affected directly by wind stress?
Explain why water speed is only 2-4% of wind speed.
Explain why the layer of surface water deflects 45o to the wind direction.
Give the direction of the Coriolis effect in the N. Hemisphere and the S. Hemisphere.
Describe the relative velocity and direction of the layer of water that underlies
the layer of water at the surface.
Describe the transfer of momentum and directions of flow with increasing depth
to the depth of no motion.
Give the average depth to the depth of no motion.
Give the direction of flow at the depth of no motion.
Define Ekman transport.
Give the direction of Ekman transport in the N. Hemisphere and the S. Hemisphere.
List the three mechanisms that interact to form a geostrophic current.
Explain why a hill of water forms at 30o N and 30oS.
Give the height of the hill of water in the subtropics.
Why does water flow downslope?
Why does water deflect upslope?
Define geostrophic current.
Describe the direction of flow in the subtropical gyres in the N. Hemisphere
and the S. Hemisphere.
Explain why the highest part of a subtropical gyre is on the western side of an ocean.
How many geostrophic gyres form in the Pacific?
Which direction does the N. Pacific subtropical gyre circulate?
Which direction does the S. Pacific subtropical gyre circulate?
Explain why the N. Pacific subtropical gyre circulates clockwise, always spinning
to the right.
Explain why the S. Pacific subtropical gyre circulates counterclockwise, always
spinning to the left.
Give the name of the geostrophic current in the N. Pacific that forms between
the equator and 30oN.
Give the direction of the N. Pacific Equatorial Current.
Give the name of the western boundary current in the N. Pacific.
Does the Kuroshio Current flow north or south?
Is the Kuroshio Current a warm water or a cold water current?
Give the name of the geostrophic current in the N. Pacific that forms between
the 30oN and 60oN.
Give the direction of the North Pacific Current.
Give the name of the eastern boundary current in the N. Pacific.
Does the California Current flow north or south?
Is the California Current a warm water or a cold water current?
Give the name of the geostrophic current in the S. Pacific that forms between
the equator and 30oN.
Give the direction of the S. Pacific Equatorial Current.
Give the name of the western boundary current in the S. Pacific.
Does the East Australian Current flow north or south?
Is the East Australian Current a warm water or a cold water current?
Give the name of the geostrophic current in the S. Pacific that forms between
the 30oN and 60oN.
Give the direction of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
Give the name of the eastern boundary current in the S. Pacific.
Does the Peru Current flow north or south?
Is the Peru Current a warm water or a cold water current?
The math problems for the quiz are on the Examples of Math Problems page. One or two questions will be a math problem.
The written question will come from lecture topics
Discuss wind-driven surface currents.
Discuss the formation of the Ekman spiral and Ekman transport.
Discuss the formation of geostrophic currents and the subtropical gyre circulation.
Draw and label the surface currents in the Pacific Ocean.
The list of exam topics and potential written questions for the sixth quiz are complete