Question

6 what can you infer about the water at the surface of the ocean, compared to the water hundreds of meters below? a surface water tends to be saltier. b surface water tends to be denser. c surface water tends to be warmer. d surface water tends to be calmer.

Explanation:

• Option A: Ocean surface water is generally less salty than deeper water in some regions (due to processes like precipitation and river runoff adding fresh water to the surface), so A is incorrect.
• Option B: Deeper ocean water is denser because it is colder and saltier (in many cases), while surface water is less dense, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: The ocean surface is exposed to solar radiation, which heats the water. As depth increases, the amount of solar radiation that reaches the water decreases, so surface water tends to be warmer than water hundreds of meters below. This is correct.
• Option D: The ocean surface is more affected by wind, waves, and currents, so it is generally less calm than deeper water (where there is less disturbance from surface - related forces), so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Surface water tends to be warmer.