Problem 7
The specific heat of the water in the oceans is about four times that of rock and soil on the continents. In addition, water in the oceans moves, while rock and soil are effectively stationary. What are the implications of these observations for differences in maximum and minimum temperatures for the oceans and continents?
Problem 10
How would the deflection of ocean currents be altered in the Northern Hemisphere if Earth rotated from east to west (instead of from west to east)? a) Currents stay the same, deflect right of their courses. b) Currents stay the same, deflect left of their courses. c) Currents switch directions, deflect right of their courses. d) Currents switch directions, deflect left of their courses.
Problem 12
Predict what would happen to thermohaline circulation if there were catastrophic melting of the Greenland ice sheet. What would be the consequences for northern Europe?
Problem 13
What would happen to spring tides if the moon were farther away from Earth? a) Tides would be higher. b) Tides would be lower. c) There would be no change to spring tides.
Problem 15
Many planets have multiple moons. Discuss how the tides would be affected if Earth had two moons (A and B), each one-half the size of the current moon, in the following two scenarios. a) Assume the two moons followed the current orbit of the moon and were located on opposite sides of Earth (one-half orbit apart; for example, in the positions of the new moon and full moon). b) Assume the two moons followed the current orbit of the moon and were located one-quarter orbit apart (for example, in the positions of the new moon and the first quarter moon). Draw diagrams showing the locations of the moons relative to Earth and the sun and how each scenario would change a typical semidiurnal tidal pattern recorded on a tidal gauge measuring near-shore depth of the ocean.
Problem 16
Construct a concept map that shows how the following ideas are related to one another. \(\begin{array}{llll}\text { sun } & \text { coastline } & \text { gravity } & \text { beach } \\ \text { moon } & \text { moon phase } & \text { semidiurnal } & \text { mixed } \\ \text { neap tide } & \text { tides } & \text { wave } & \text { diurnal } \\ \text { spring tide } & & & \end{array}\)
Problem 19
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of the adoption of wave energy technology along the North American coastline?
Problem 23
Draw a diagram to illustrate how sand is transferred among the components of a shoreline.
Problem 25
Compare and contrast seawalls and breakwaters.
Problem 28
The US Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for spending money to protect the nation's beaches that are most susceptible to erosion. The Corps is funded by the federal government. Should your tax money be used to maintain wide beaches in places such as South Carolina, Florida, or Texas? What are the consequences of not funding these programs? Identify arguments for and against continued federal funding of artificial beach nourishment programs in states with severe coastal erosion.
