NAEP Science Grade 12

Category - Earth Science

Which of the following ocean surface water masses is likely to have the greatest density?
  1. Cold and relatively high salinity waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
  2. Warm and high salinity waters of the Caribbean Sea.
  3. Cold and moderately saline waters of the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean.
  4. Warm and low salinity waters of the South China Sea.
Explanation
Correct Response: A. The cold, high salinity water of the North Atlantic has the greatest density because higher salt concentration and cold temperature increase water's density. Below 4°C the density of water drops slightly, but most of the water of the north Atlantic is above that temperature. As a result of this relationship between density and the salinity and temperature of water, warm high salinity water (B) will have a lower density than cold, high salinity water. Cold water with moderate salinity (C) will have a lower density than cold water with high salinity and warm water with relatively low salinity (D) will also be less dense than cold water with high salinity.
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