18.

WATER IN THE OCEANS

I. Tick the correct answer:

1. The largest ocean is the _______Ocean.

Ans: Pacific.

2. Ocean currents are deflected to the ___ in the Northern Hemisphere.

Ans: right

3. Warm currents flow from __ to __ latitudes.

Ans: low to high.

4. Mariana Trench in the __ is the deepest place in the world.

Ans: Pacific Ocean

II. Fill in the blanks:

1. __ waves are used for harnessing electricity.

Ans: Tidal

2. The rising of water is called the____

Ans: High Tides

3. __ Strait connects the Arctic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.

Ans: Bering

4. __ of the Ocean water depends upon the extent of evaporation and the volume of fresh water
added to the Ocean.

Ans: Salinity

5. The temperature of the saline water is __

Ans: Higher

III. Give brief answer:

1. How are Tides useful?

Ans: (a) Tides are useful in trade, navigation, and fishing. At the time of high tide depth of water
near coast increases and enables big ships to enter the ports.

(b) Tides keep the harbours clear of refuse and mud brought down by rivers and thus they do not
allow the harbours to be silted

(c) Tidal waves are also harvested to generate electricity.

(d) Tides prevent the sea water from freezing by keeping the area under sea water in motion.
2. How does the Ocean water become salty?

Ans: (a) Rivers and other water bodies carry away various salts with them and they deposit the same
in the oceans along with water, mud and other ingredients.

(b) Closed sea does not have any movement in water. Its water is stagnant so evaporation is high,
thus salinity is also high there.

4. What is the use of ocean water?

Ans: Ocean water is useful in many ways,such as

(a) Oceans have moderating influence on the climate.

(b) Oceans are main source of water vapour due to evaporation. This ultimately brings rain.

(c) Rain and oceans are main cooling agents of our planet.

(d) It provides sea food.

(e) It is source of many minerals and petroleum.

(f) Water supports life in all manner.

4. How does the rotation of the earth affect the Ocean currents?

Ans: Rotation of the earth affects the direction of ocean currents. As earth rotates on its own axis, a
centrifugal force is generated. Due to this, ocean currents are deflected to the right in the Northern
Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

5. Why is fog produced near New Found land?

Ans: Fog is produced near New Found land because two currents of different temperature meet
there. At New Found land cold current of Labrador and warm current of Gulf stream meet.

IV. Answer these questions:

1. What are the three chief movements of the Ocean waters?

Ans: Waves, Tides and Oceans are main three types of movements of the Ocean waters.

Waves - Waves are produced by the pushing action of winds. Pressure of winds pushes the water up
and down. Particles of water move up and down but they don't move forward and backward like
river water.

Tides - Tides are rise and fall of ocean water regularly twice a day at a regular interval. Tides are
noticed only at shore.

Current - Currents are big streams of water flowing regularly, constantly and in definite directions on
the surface or sub-surface of the oceans.

2. What are ocean currents? How are they formed?

Ans: Ocean currents are big streams of water flowing in definite and regular direction, constantly on
the surface or sub-surface of the Ocean.

Ocean currents are produced due to many factors like:

(a) Prevailing winds blow in one direction so they pull ocean water too, along with them.

(b) Difference in temperature is another cause of ocean currents. Due to this currents flow from low
latitude equatorial region to colder high latitude polar regions.

(c) Temperature of saline water is high.So, salinity also causes movement of ocean currents.

3. What are the effects of ocean currents?

Ans: Warm current warms up the temperature of cold regions and cold currents make the coastal
region cool.

(b) Countries influenced by warm currents receive more rainfall because winds passing over them
absorb a lot of moisture.

(c) Warm currents melt the dangerous icebergs and help navigation.

(d) Best type of fishes are found in the areas where hot and cold currents meet. Such areas are ideal
for laying eggs, so the largest amount of fishes are caught here.

(e) Meeting of hot and cold currents cause dense fogs.

4. How are Tides caused?

Ans: Tides are caused by the attraction exerted by the moon and the sun on the surface of the
water. But the role of the moon is much more significant because it is nearer to the earth. So, its
attraction force stronger than that of the sun.

V. Distinguish between.

1. Waves and tides

Waves Tides

* In case of waves the surface of the water rises
up and down gently or violently according to
the weather conditions.
* Waves are caused by the pushing action of
the winds.
* Stormy waves sometimes prove very
disastrous.
* In case of tides, there is alternative raising
and falling of the sea water twice a day.
* Tides are caused mainly by attraction of the
moon and to some extent of the Sun.
* Tides are of great help to us in trade, fishing
and navigation.

2. A Warm current and a cold current

A Warm Current A Cold Current

* Warm currents flow from the Equilateral
regions.
*Their temperature is a few degrees higher
than the temperature of the surrounding
waters.
*Warm currents raise the temperature of the
coastal areas.
* Winds Passing over warm currents absorb a
good deal of moisture and bring heavy rainfall
* Cold currents flow from the polar regions.
* Their temperature is a few degrees lower
than the temperature of the surrounding
waters.
* Cold currents reduce the temperature of the
coastal areas.
*Winds Passing over cold currents become dry
and cool and bring little rain in the coastal
areas.
in the coastal areas.
* Warm currents are of great help to navigation
because they melt the icebergs.
* Warm currents keep the ports even in the
Polar region free from ice.
Cold currents
* Cold currents hinder navigation because they
create icebergs.
* Cold currents make the ports even of lower
latitudes ice bound.

3. Currents and Waves

Currents Waves
* Ocean currents are, so to say, rivers of cold or * Wind blowing over the sea cause big ripples
hot water flowing in an ocean. which we called waves.
*Currents move both on the surface and sub- * Waves travel outwards on the surface of the
surface of an ocean. ocean.
* Currents continuously follow in one direction * Waves change their direction with the change
only. of winds.

VI. Give reason:

1. Fresh water is very important for man.

Ans: Fresh water is very important for man because

* Only fresh water is suitable for drinking purpose.

* Only fresh water can be used for irrigation, agriculture and industrial purpose. Salty water is quite
heavy and full of many dissolved minerals.Thus,freshwater is most precious for man.

* Our planet is a water planet or blue planet, even then freshwater is available in a very limited
amount. Thus, every drop of freshwater must be conserved.

2. Countries influenced by cold currents receive very little Rainfall.

Ans: Countries influenced by cold currents receive very little Rainfall because

* Wind Passing over cold currents are dry and cold. Thus, they do not cause rain.

* This is the reason why hot deserts are found near the coastal areas which are washed by cold
currents.

3. The harbours of Great Britain remain open all the year round.

Ans: The harbours of Great Britain remain open all the year round because

*Warm current of Gulf Stream passes through the coasts of Great Britain.

* Due to warm current, ice on these areas melt.

4. We say that ocean currents influence navigation.

Ans: Ocean currents influence navigation as the ships sailing along a current pickup greater speed.
They save time and fuel also. Thus, it helps in navigation too.

5. Ocean currents are caused.

Ans: Ocean currents are caused due to the following facts

Prevailing winds blowing in one definite direction cause ocean water to flow in the same direction
and produce current.

* Difference in temperature of polar regions and equatorial regions also cause currents. Warm water
of the equatorial regions expand and flow towards the poles, while the cold water of the polar
regions flows towards the equator.

* Salinity affects the temperature of the ocean. High salinity increases the temperature, as a result
of which temperature variation causes currents.