How do prevailing winds produce ocean currents?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The angle of Earth’s axis causes air movement.
The angle of Earth’s axis causes air movement.

Heat from the sun causes circulation patterns of warm and cool air.
Heat from the sun causes circulation patterns of warm and cool air.

Tornadoes cause circulation patterns of warm and cool air.
Tornadoes cause circulation patterns of warm and cool air.

Earth’s rotation causes air movement.
Earth’s rotation causes air movement.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Heat from the sun causes circulation patterns of warm and cool air.

This option accurately explains how solar heating creates wind patterns, which in turn influence ocean currents. The prevailing winds drive the surface water of the oceans, resulting in the formation of ocean currents.

Answer 2

Why do warm ocean currents begin at the equator?(1 point)
Responses

Heat rises from the southern pole and is warmest in the middle of the globe.
Heat rises from the southern pole and is warmest in the middle of the globe.

The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.
The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.

The volcanic activity at the equator heats up the water.
The volcanic activity at the equator heats up the water.

There is a concentration of magma rising at the equator.

Answer 3

The correct response is:

The equator receives more direct and intense sunlight, warming the water.

This option accurately explains why warm ocean currents begin at the equator: the equator is exposed to more direct solar radiation, resulting in warmer water temperatures.

Answer 4

How are ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere different from currents in the Southern Hemisphere?(1 point)
Responses

Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.

Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a counterclockwise pattern.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a counterclockwise pattern.

Currents in the Northern Hemisphere always carry warm water.
Currents in the Northern Hemisphere always carry warm water.

Currents in the Northern Hemisphere always carry cold water.

Answer 5

The correct response is:

Currents in the Northern Hemisphere tend to move in a clockwise pattern.

This is due to the Coriolis effect, which causes ocean currents to rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Answer 6

In an El Niño year, trade winds are too weak to send warm currents west. Instead, warm currents travel east into South America. What is the end result of this difference in an El Niño year?(1 point)
Responses

Equatorial winds are particularly strong.
Equatorial winds are particularly strong.

Areas of North America have a colder winter.
Areas of North America have a colder winter.

Warm water pools toward the west.
Warm water pools toward the west.

Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.

Answer 7

The correct response is:

Areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.

During an El Niño year, the shift in warm water and the alteration in atmospheric circulation patterns lead to notable changes in weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation levels in various regions, particularly along the Pacific coast of South America and other areas.