UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Notes  >  Geography for UPSC CSE  >  NCERT Solutions - Movements of Ocean Water

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Movements of Ocean Water

Q1: Multiple choice questions.
(i) Upward and downward movement of ocean water is known as the:
(a) tide
(b) current
(c) wave
(d) none of the above
Ans: (a) tide

(ii) Spring tides are caused :
(a) As result of the moon and the sun pulling the earth gravitationally in the same direction.
(b) As result of the moon and the sun pulling the earth gravitationally in the opposite direction.
(c) Indention in the coast line.
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (a)

(iii) The distance between the earth and the moon is minimum when the moon is in :
(a) Aphelion
(b) Perigee
(c) Perihelion
(d) Apogee
Ans: (b)

(iv) The earth reaches its perihelion in:
(a) October
(b) September
(c) July
(d) January
Ans: (d)

Q2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) What are waves?
Ans: Waves are energy, not the water which moves across the ocean surface. It generated by wind driving against water.

(ii) Where do waves in the ocean get their energy from?
Ans: Wind provides energy to the waves. Wind causes waves to travel in the ocean and the energy is released on shorelines.

(iii) What are tides?
Ans: The periodical rise and fall of the sea level, once or twice a day, mainly due to the attraction of the sun and the moon, is called a tide.

(iv) How are tides caused?
Ans: The tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon and the centrifugal force

(v) How are tides related to navigation?
Ans: Tides helps the navigators and fishermen plan their activities. Tidal flows are of great importance in navigation. Tidal heights are very important, especially harbours near rivers and within estuaries having shallow ‘bars’ at the entrance, which prevent ships and boats from entering into the harbour.

Q3: Answer the following questions in about 150 words.
(i) How do currents affect the temperature? How does it affect the temperature of coastal areas in the N. W. Europe?
Ans: The currents directly affect the temperature. The temperature varies depending on whether currents are warm or cold:

  • Cold currents bring cold water into warm water areas. These currents are usually found on the west coast of the continents in the low and middle latitudes (true in both hemispheres) and on the east coast in the higher latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere
  • Warm currents bring warm water into cold water areas and are usually observed on the east coast of continents in the low and middle latitudes (true in both hemispheres). In the northern hemisphere they are found on the west coasts of continents in high latitudes.
  • In North West Europe, warm currents are present which increase the temperature in coastal areas in the North West Europe.

(ii) What are the causes of currents?
Ans: Oceans currents are caused by two forces mainly:

  • primary forces that initiate the movement of water
  • secondary forces that influence the currents to flow.

The primary forces that influence the currents are:

  • Heating by solar energy:  Heating by solar energy causes the water to expand. That is why, near the equator the ocean water is about 8 cm higher in level than in the middle latitudes. This causes a very slight gradient and water tends to flow down the slope.
  • Wind: It blowing on the surface of the ocean pushes the water to move. Friction between the wind and the water surface affects the movement of the water body in its course
  • Gravity: It tends to pull the water down the pile and create gradient variation.
  • Coriolis force: This intervenes and causes the water to move to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. These large accumulations of water and the flow around them are called Gyres. These produce large circular currents in all the ocean basins.

The secondary forces that influence the currents are:

  • Difference in water density: It affect vertical mobility of ocean currents. Denser water tends to sink, while relatively lighter water tends to rise.
  • Difference in Salinity: Water with high salinity is denser than water with low salinity and in the same way cold water is denser than warm water.
The document NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Movements of Ocean Water is a part of the UPSC Course Geography for UPSC CSE.
All you need of UPSC at this link: UPSC
180 videos|475 docs|195 tests

Top Courses for UPSC

FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Movements of Ocean Water

1. What are the major causes of ocean currents?
Ans. Ocean currents are primarily caused by wind, temperature, salinity, and the Earth's rotation.
2. How do ocean currents affect marine life?
Ans. Ocean currents play a significant role in transporting nutrients and organisms, impacting the distribution and migration patterns of marine life.
3. What is the difference between surface currents and deep ocean currents?
Ans. Surface currents are driven by wind and occur in the top layer of the ocean, while deep ocean currents are driven by density differences and occur in the deeper layers of the ocean.
4. How do ocean currents influence weather patterns?
Ans. Ocean currents can influence weather patterns by transporting heat from one region to another, affecting temperature and precipitation levels.
5. How do scientists study and track ocean currents?
Ans. Scientists use a variety of methods such as satellite imagery, buoys, and drifters to study and track ocean currents, providing valuable insights into their behavior and impact on the environment.
180 videos|475 docs|195 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

study material

,

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Movements of Ocean Water

,

Summary

,

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Movements of Ocean Water

,

mock tests for examination

,

Objective type Questions

,

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Movements of Ocean Water

,

Extra Questions

,

Free

,

Sample Paper

,

Exam

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

video lectures

,

practice quizzes

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

past year papers

,

MCQs

,

Viva Questions

,

Important questions

,

Semester Notes

,

pdf

,

ppt

;