Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Study Guide
Questions
Course Introduction
Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences explores the dynamic systems of the Earths oceans and atmosphere, examining their physical, chemical, and biological processes and interactions. The course covers key topics such as ocean currents, atmospheric circulation, weather and climate patterns, ocean-atmosphere coupling, and the role of these systems in regulating the Earths environment. Students will gain an understanding of tools and techniques used in oceanographic and atmospheric research, analyze the impacts of human activities on these systems, and discuss contemporary issues such as climate change, marine resources, and environmental sustainability.
Recommended Textbook Oceanography 8th Edition by Tom S. Garrison
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
18 Chapters
900 Verified Questions
900 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/1033
Page 2
Chapter 1: The Origin of the Ocean
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20474
Sample Questions
Q1) Experiments involving early atmospheric conditions were able to produce amino acids, sugars, and even microscopic bacteria.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) A(n) ____ is a test involving manipulations made on conditions of a particular observation.
A) hypothesis
B) experiment
C) theory
D) scientific method
Answer: B
Q3) In the Insight into National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Hand suggests that studying life in extreme environments is important for what reason?
A) It can improve our understanding of earth's early evolution
B) Extreme environments have highly adapted organisms
C) These environments could mimic conditions on other planets
D) New species of organisms are being discovered
Answer: C
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 3
Chapter 2: A History of Marine Science
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20475
Sample Questions
Q1) The Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute are important examples of prominent oceanographic institutions in the United States.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) What does voyaging offer people?
A) Expansion of trade
B) Increased availability of food
C) Mobility of residence
D) All of these choices
Answer: D
Q3) Where was the first "zero longitude" line?
A) Athens
B) Rome
C) Alexandria
D) Greenwich
Answer: B
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 4
Chapter 3: Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20476
Sample Questions
Q1) What substance was able to show previous orientations of Earth's magnetic field?
A) Magma
B) Basalt
C) Magnetite
D) Magnesium
Answer: C
Q2) Hot spots always occur at plate boundaries.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q3) What type of wave causes the most damage to property during an earthquake?
A) Primary waves
B) Secondary waves
C) Surface waves
D) Body waves
Answer: C
Q4) The mantle is the largest layer in terms of mass and volume.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 5
Chapter 4: Ocean Basins
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20477
Sample Questions
Q1) What is a continental margin? What are the differences between active and passive margins? Include alternative names for the margins and the plate boundaries associated with each.
Q2) The continental margin is divided into three sections with the continental slope blending the continental margin into the deep-ocean basins.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Which is not a major factor in the width of a continental shelf?
A) The proximity to a plate boundary
B) The speed of ocean currents
C) Natural dams that allow sediment accumulation
D) The number of rivers depositing new sediments
Q4) Active margins tend to be narrow in comparison to broad passive margins.
A)True
B)False
Q5) How did the study of bathymetry progress with new technologies? Include important developments and events in history that impacted bathymetry.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 6
Chapter 5: Ocean Sediments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20478
Sample Questions
Q1) What valuable commodity has yet to be commercially mined from ocean sediments?
A) Natural gas
B) Gravel
C) Diatomaceous earth
D) Manganese nodules
Q2) What characterizes deep ocean sediments?
A) The sediments are well-sorted due to high energy fluctuations
B) The sediments are well-sorted due to low energy fluctuations
C) The sediments are poorly sorted due to high energy fluctuations
D) The sediments are poorly sorted due to low energy fluctuations
Q3) A deep ocean ooze was discovered near Antarctica. What type is it likely to be?
A) Radiolarian ooze
B) Calcareous ooze
C) Diatom ooze
D) Foraminfera ooze
Q4) Even in a rare area in which there are no overlying sediments, there are sediments found in the water above.
A)True
B)False
Page 7
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 6: Water and Ocean Structure
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20479
Sample Questions
Q1) How is heat moved from the tropics to the poles? Be specific. How is most heat energy transported?
Q2) Heat and temperature are synonymous terms.
A)True
B)False
Q3) How does the absorption of light provide heat energy in the ocean?
A) The addition of light increases the heat capacity of molecules.
B) The light makes water molecules vibrate and then the electromagnetic energy is converted to heat energy.
C) The light energy is absorbed by photosynthetic organisms which convert it to heat energy.
D) Tiny suspended particles absorb heat and transfer it to the ocean.
Q4) What is true of heat capacity?
A) It is the measure of an object's response to an input of heat.
B) It is the measure of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram by 1° Celsius.
C) It is the measure of energy produced by random vibrations of atoms or molecules.
D) It is a consistent amount across various substances.
Q5) How do the properties of water help our oceans to remain in liquid form?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 8
Chapter 7: Ocean Chemistry
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20480
Sample Questions
Q1) What affects the residence time of an element?
A) Its saturation level
B) Its chemical equilibrium in water
C) Its chemical activity in water
D) The principle of constant proportions
Q2) How is the ocean a reservoir for carbon? How is the carbon dioxide able to re-enter oceanic and atmospheric cycles?
Q3) How do salinometers measure salinity?
A) It measures the number of salt molecules in a set mass of seawater.
B) It calculates the salinity based on the density of the seawater.
C) It measures the electrical conductivity of seawater samples.
D) It calculates the salinity by measuring the chlorinity.
Q4) Why is the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in seawater much less than the theoretical maximum saturation level?
A) Carbon dioxide is very soluble in water.
B) Carbon dioxide is able to form a weak acid when combined with seawater.
C) Carbon dioxide is quickly used by photosynthetic organisms.
D) Carbon dioxide moves quickly from the atmosphere to the ocean.
Q5) How do ions alter the properties of seawater in comparison to freshwater properties?
Page 9
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 8: Circulation of the Atmosphere
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20481
Sample Questions
Q1) Humid air is more dense than dry air at the same temperature.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Do tropical cyclones seemingly follow wind patterns associated with the Coriolis effect? How does the Coriolis effect influence tropical cyclones? Why are there no cyclones found at the equator?
Q3) Extratropical cyclones move eastward because they are rooted in the westerly winds.
A)True
B)False
Q4) What is not a factor in the amount of light penetrating the ocean?
A) The angle at which the light approaches the Earth
B) The surface turbulence of the ocean
C) The amount of light absorbed by clouds
D) The presence of ice or foam on the surface
Q5) What made the 2005 hurricane season so unusual?
A) Hurricanes peaked early in their life cycle
B) Hurricanes were able to retain energy for longer periods of time
C) The season was the most active with 28 tropical storms formed
D) All of these choices
Page 10
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 9: Circulation of the Ocean
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20482
Sample Questions
Q1) The Coriolis Effect and gravity maintains the hill of water present in the center of oceanic gyres.
A)True
B)False
Q2) El Niño Southern Oscillation events can cause flooding from both a rise in sea level and high precipitation.
A)True
B)False
Q3) What is not a characteristic of western boundary currents?
A) They move warm water poleward.
B) They are fast moving currents.
C) They are deep currents.
D) They are broad currents.
Q4) Why is the West Wind Drift not considered a gyre?
A) It is too large to be a gyre.
B) It is a closed circuit current.
C) It is driven by westerly winds.
D) It does not flow around the margins of an ocean basin.
Q5) What is an El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event? La Niña? How are they connected to each other?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: Waves
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20483
Sample Questions
Q1) What determines the characteristics of ocean waves?
A) The wavelength and wave period
B) The wave height and wave frequency
C) The wavelength and water depth
D) The wave period and wave frequency
Q2) What is not true of a rogue wave?
A) The constructive interference of many wavelengths
B) A wave much larger than the theoretical maximum wave sustained by a fully developed sea
C) A freak, unpredictable wave
D) A predictable but large wave
Q3) What is a wave period?
A) The horizontal distance between two successive crests or troughs
B) The number of waves passing a fixed point per second
C) The time for a wave to move the distance of one wavelength
D) The end of a wave train
Q4) How do wave trains travel? How do they interact with each other?
Q5) Wind waves retain the most amount of energy.
A)True
B)False
12
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 11: Tides
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20484
Sample Questions
Q1) What is one of the newest techniques employed to measure tides?
A) Using simple drogues
B) Using pressure-sensing transducers
C) Using drift bottles
D) Using variations in Earth's magnetic field
Q2) What is the difference between a solar and lunar day? Which is longer? Why?
Q3) Spring tides are seasonal tidal events.
A)True
B)False
Q4) What has a large impact on the heights and patterns of tides?
A) Climate
B) Gravity
C) Wavelength
D) Basin topography
Q5) Tidal friction is gradually slowing Earth's rotation.
A)True
B)False
Q6) Tidal energy as not as successful as other marine energy sources.
A)True
B)False
Page 13
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 12: Coasts
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20485
Sample Questions
Q1) What type of reef is a ring-shaped island of coral?
A) Fringing
B) Barrier
C) Atoll
D) Mangrove
Q2) How have parts of Florida's coast been extended?
A) Fringing reefs
B) Mangroves
C) Barrier reefs
D) Atolls
Q3) Seawalls increase the amount of erosion along the shore because they deflect wave energy.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Where is the seaward limit of a beach?
A) Longshore bars
B) Berms
C) Where the longshore drift is the strongest
D) Where the sediment stops moving onshore or offshore
Q5) How do sediments move along a beach?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 14
Chapter 13: Life in the Ocean
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20486
Sample Questions
Q1) All life on Earth is fundamentally the same.
A)True
B)False
Q2) What open water zone is near shore and over the continental shelf?
A) Oceanic zone
B) Littoral zone
C) Hadal zone
D) Neritic zone
Q3) What is an advantage of using scientific names?
A) There is only one name per species.
B) They are universal to all languages.
C) They can indicate the relatedness of organisms.
D) All of these choices
Q4) What kind of metabolic rate do humans have?
A) Endothermic
B) Exothermic
C) Ectothermic
D) Hyperthermic
Q5) How are the levels of carbon dioxide linked to the photic and aphotic zones? How does this relate to the temperature of the water?
Page 15
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 14: Plankton, Algae, and Plants
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20487
Sample Questions
Q1) What can hinder photosynthetic productivity in the open ocean?
A) Light
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Iron
D) Conservative nutrients
Q2) What is essential in the restoration and continuation of photosynthetic productivity in the ocean?
A) Upwelling
B) Blooming
C) Light
D) Carbon dioxide
Q3) Seaweed derived materials are found in a large variety of commercial materials including adhesives, salad dressing, and ice cream.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Compare and contrast two of the three phytoplankton discussed at length in this chapter (Diatoms, Dinoflagellates, and Coccolithophores).
Q5) What are seaweeds? What are the classifications of seaweeds?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 16
Chapter 15: Marine Animals
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20488
Sample Questions
Q1) Compare and contrast the three phyla of worms. Which is considered to be the most evolutionarily advanced?
Q2) What class is comprised of nautiluses, octopuses, and squid?
A) Cephalopoda
B) Bivalia
C) Gastropoda
D) Mollusca
Q3) Polychaetes are the most successful worm phyla, being found in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine environments.
A)True
B)False
Q4) The first fish evolved about 50 million years ago.
A)True
B)False
Q5) What makes up the greatest biomass of any species on Earth?
A) King crab
B) Krill
C) Squid
D) Coral
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 17
Chapter 16: Marine Communities
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20489
Sample
Questions
Q1) What challenges are faced by coral reefs today? What is the advantage of living in the tropical ocean which contains few nutrients? Hint: include reference to the National Geographic segment about the Southern Line Islands
Q2) Biodiversity is the role of species in a given area.
A)True
B)False
Q3) If an environment is changed by disruption, a different climax community always establishes.
A)True
B)False
Q4) What is a hardship for small organisms that are associated with living on a sandy beach?
A) Sand has sharp, jagged edges.
B) Capillary forces can pin organisms down within the sand.
C) Organisms have a hard time finding a firm footing when burrowing.
D) All of these choices
Q5) Marine communities evolve more rapidly than terrestrial communities.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 18
Chapter 17: Marine Resources
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20490
Sample Questions
Q1) Why does oil seep to the surface from its source rock?
A) Capillary actions
B) Convection
C) Oil is less dense than surrounding sediments
D) Porosity is higher at the surface
Q2) How is freshwater obtained as a marine resource?
A) Potability
B) Evaporation
C) Desalination
D) Reverse osmosis
Q3) Which United States location contributes to most of the exploitable sand?
A) Texas
B) Alaska
C) Oregon
D) Florida
Q4) What kind of resource is waste disposal?
A) Physical resource
B) Marine energy resource
C) Biological resource
D) Nonextractive resource
Page 19
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 18: The Ocean and The Environment
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
50 Verified Questions
50 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/20491
Sample Questions
Q1) ____ is the tool to finding solutions for environmental problems.
A) Education
B) Research
C) Commissions and policies
D) Time
Q2) What determines an organism's response to a particular pollutant?
A) The quantity of the pollutant
B) The toxicity of the pollutant
C) The persistence of the pollutant
D) All of these choices
Q3) Human demands and pressures have surpassed Earth's ability to regenerate resources.
A)True
B)False
Q4) How long does it take for many plastics to decompose?
A) 50 years
B) 100 years
C) 250 years
D) 400 years
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 20