RBSE Solutions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 14 Movements of Ocean Water

Rajasthan Board RBSE Solutions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 14 Movements of Ocean Water Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

RBSE Class 11 Geography Solutions Chapter 14 Movements of Ocean Water

RBSE Class 11 Geography Movements of Ocean Water Textbook Questions and Answers 

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Choose the right answer out of the four alternatives given :
(i) Upward and downward movement of ocean water is known as the :
(a) Tide 
(b) Current
(c) Wave 
(d) None of the above.
Answer:
(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.
Answer:
(a) As result of the moon and the sun pulling the earth gravitationally in the same direction.
 
(iii) The distance between the earth and the moon is minimum when the moon is in :
(a) Aphelion 
(b) Perigee
(c) Perihelion 
(d) Apogee.
Answer:
(d) Apogee.

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

Short Answer Type Questions

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words :
(i) What are waves?
Answer:
Waves are the to and fro movements with a swaying motion. These take place due to the movement of winds on the surface of the ocean water. Waves are actually the energy which moves across the ocean surface

(ii) Where do waves in the ocean get their energy from?
Answer: 
Wind provides energy to the waves. This causes waves to travel in the ocean and the energy is released on the shoreline. Waves continue to grow larger as they move and absorb energy from the wind.

(iii) What are tides?
Answer: 
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?
Answer:
Tides are caused due to the following :
(a) The moon’s gravitational pull
(b) The sun’s gravitational pull
(c) Centrifugal force, which is the force that acts to counter balance the gravity. 
Together, the gravitational pull and the centrifugal force are responsible for creating the two major tidal bulges on the earth.

(v) How are tides related to navigation?
Answer:
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.

Essay Type Question

3. 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 N.W. Europe? 
Answer:
Effects of Ocean Currents. Ocean currents exert a powerful influence on the environment of the areas where they flow.
(a) Effects on Climate. Ocean currents have indirect influence on the climate of coastal areas. These affect the temperature, rainfall and the general weather of the adjoining areas.

(i) Temperature. The warm currents raise and the cold currents lower the temperature of the neighbouring lands. The winds blowing over the cold currents carry low temperature and have a cooling effect. Wind blowing over warm currents have a warming effect and raise the winter temperature of regions situated in higher latitudes. The Labrador coast remains icebound due to the cold Labrador current but the coast of North-West Europe, though in the same latitude remains open due to warm Gulf stream current but the coast of North-West Europe, though in the same latitude. North-West Europe has an ideal climate due to the moderating effect of North- Atlantic drift.

(ii) Rainfall. The winds blowing over warm current absorb more moisture and give more rainfall. The winds blowing over cold currents are cold and cannot absorb much moisture. North-West Europe gets heavy rainfall due to Gulf stream current. Cold currents flow along the west coasts of the continents within the tropics and deserts are found on these coasts such as Kalahari, Atacama etc.

(iii) Fog. Dense fog is produced due to the meeting of warm and cold currents. The Warm moisture is condensed and results in the formation of fog. Fog is produced near Newfoundland due to the meeting of cold Labrador current and the warm Gulf stream current. Visibility is also reduced due to fog.

(b) Effect on Trade :
(i) Open harbours. In high latitudes, harbours remain open all the year round due to the influence of warm currents. The coast of Norway and Great Britain remain unfrozen due to warm Gulf stream current. But the ports of Eastern Siberia like Vladivostok are icebound due to cold kurile current.

(ii) Ocean routes. Currents determine ocean routes. Ships follow routes avoiding icebergs. Icebergs floating along with cold currents (Such as with Labrador currents) are a danger to shipping.

(iii)Navigation. The velocity of ships was greatly influenced in the days of sailing ships by backing currents or facing currents. But currents have not so important effect on modern steam ships.

(iv) Effect on marine life. Ocean currents encourage the growth of plankton which is the food for fish and other marine life. The fish travel along with currents. Great fishing banks are found along the coast of Japan and Newfoundland because cold and warm currents meet here.

(ii) What are the causes of currents?
Answer:
Ocean currents. Regular movements of water from one part of the ocean to another is called an ocean current. An ocean current is like a river in the ocean. There is actual movement of water in a current. Causes of the origin of ocean currents. Following are the chief causes of the origin of the ocean currents 
1. Prevailing Winds. Ocean currents are primarily wind determined. Currents follow the main direction of the planetary winds. The Trades and the Westerlies blow in same direction throughout the year. In tropical areas, Equatorial currents move along with Trade winds from east to west. In temperate latitudes Westerlies drive the water of Gulf Stream to western coast of Europe as North Atlantic drift. The direction of the current changes in summer and winter according to the direction of monsoon winds.

2. Difference in Temperature. Warm water is lighter and rises but the cold water is denser and sinks. This makes a difference in the level of sea. 

Warm equatorial water moves poleward along the surface, while the cold polar water moves along the bottom towards the equator as ocean currents.

3. Difference in Salinity. Waters of high salinity are denser and heavier, while the waters of low salinity are lighter. The fresh water floats on the surface, while waters of high salinity flow at the bottom of the ocean. Lighter surface water from the Atlantic flows into the Mediterranean while an under-current of denser water flows towards the Atlantic from Mediterranean Sea.

4. Evaporation and Rainfall. Evaporation makes the water more saline and dense. Due to heavy rainfall the surface of the sea water rises. Consequently, ocean currents flow from higher level to lower level of water in the ocean.

5. Rotation. The rotation of the earth changes the direction of currents to assure a circular direction. The ocean currents in the northern hemisphere are deflected to their right and in southern hemisphere to their left. Thus according to Ferral’s law, currents have a clock¬wise circulation in the northern hemisphere and anti¬clockwise circulation in the southern hemisphere.

6. The Shape of Coast. The shape of the coast obstructs and diverts ocean currents. For example, the Cape Sao Reque of Brazil diverts the South Equatorial Current as Brazilian current.