Question

1. what are two reasons that ocean water sinks in the arctic ocean?

○ the surface water is warmer and less salty than normal
○ the surface water is warmer and more salty than normal
○ the surface water is colder and less salty than normal
○ the surface water is colder and more salty than normal

Explanation:

To determine why ocean water sinks in the Arctic Ocean, we use the principles of ocean water density. Density of ocean water depends on temperature and salinity: colder water is denser, and saltier water is denser. For water to sink, it must be denser than the surrounding water.

• Analyzing each option:
• Option 1: Warmer (less dense) and less salty (less dense) water would not sink. Eliminate.
• Option 2: Warmer (less dense) water, even if more salty, is unlikely to be denser enough to sink. Eliminate.
• Option 3: Colder (denser) but less salty (less dense) – the effect of lower salinity might counteract coldness. Unlikely to be denser enough. Eliminate.
• Option 4: Colder water is denser, and more salty water is also denser. Combining these two factors (cold and high salinity) makes the surface water denser than the underlying water, causing it to sink.

Answer:

D. The surface water is colder and more salty than normal