Earth's Science Standard Quiz

Which properties of polar ocean water likely drive the movement of ocean currents around the globe?

• salinity only

• temperature and salinity only

• temperature and density only

• temperature, salinity, and density

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Water with which characteristics is the least dense and will rise in the formation of an ocean current?

• warm water with a high salt concentration

• warm water with a low salt concentration

• cold water with a high salt concentration

• cold water with a low salt concentration

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A student places one sealed bag with cold water and one with hot water in a tub of water at room temperature to model ocean currents. The water in each bag is dyed a different color, as shown. If the bottom of each bag is punctured with a pin at the same time, what will the student likely observe first?

• The hot water and the cold water will quickly mix evenly throughout the tub of water.

• The hot water and the cold water will quickly sink to the bottom of the tub of water.

• The cold water will rise to the top of the room temperature water, and the hot water will sink to the bottom.

• The hot water will rise to the top of the room temperature water, and the cold water will sink to the bottom.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

The map shows the flows of five different ocean currents. Which three currents represent cold water currents because they begin where the ocean receives little sunlight?

• current 1

• current 2

• current 3

• current 4

• current 5

Students are demonstrating the movement of wind. In Step 1, they blow up a balloon, trying to make it as round as possible. In Step 2, they draw a line around the middle of the balloon to represent the equator. In Step 3, one student spins the balloon. While the balloon spins, another student draws a line from the middle of the balloon to the top. In which two ways can this model represent the Coriolis effect? Pick up to 2 answers.

• Warm air rising causes cooler air to sink to the surface.

• Rotation of Earth causes the wind to appear to curve.

• Wind at the equator is denser than wind at the poles.

• Cool air flows faster than warmer air as it moves across Earth.

• The amount the wind appears to curve depends on the speed of Earth’s rotation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A student held a pinwheel above a pot of boiling water. The student observed the pinwheel spinning. What caused the pinwheel to spin?

• The heat from the boiling water.

• The steam rising from the boiling water.

• The movement of the pot.

• The sound of the boiling water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Which of these is best demonstrated by this activity?

• convection currents

• potential energy

• chemical energy

• magnetic fields

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

Which statement best describes the type of water carried by the Norwegian Current as it moves from the tropics toward the North Pole?

• The water is warm and near the surface.

• The water is cold and dense.

• The water is cold and comes up to the surface.

• The water is warm and deep.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which statement best describes the movement of ocean currents?

• Warm currents start flowing at the poles.

• Cold currents start flowing at the equator.

• Cold currents tend to flow under warm currents.

• Warm currents tend to flow deeper than cold currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The Gulf Stream current is found in the Atlantic Ocean and flows from the tropics to the northern latitudes. Which best explains the movement of the Gulf Stream current?

• The warm current is more dense and pushes cold waters toward the equator.

• The warm current flows toward the poles where it cools and sinks.

• The warm current contains an electrical charge that is attracted to the magnetic poles.

• The warm current contains sediment that is heavier than cold currents and pushes them downward.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6