Chapter 17.1, Problem 1BYL

To determine

The ways by which the motion shifted from the atmosphere to the ocean surface.

Answer to Problem 1BYL

Pictorial representation: Fig. 1 depicts the transfer of atmosphere motion to the ocean surface.

Fig.1. Atmosphere motion transfer to the ocean surface.

Explanation of Solution

The motion from the atmosphere transferred to the ocean surface as follows:

(i) As the wind blows around the water, it pushes against the surface, which causes the upper layer of the water to flow.

(ii) The surface water transfers some momentum to the water just below the surface.

(iii) The current velocity decreases with depth due to the effect of wind stress, The current velocity becomes zero at a depth of 100m, and this point is known as a null point.

(iv) The water flow parallel to the direction of the blowing wind. The water move due to the Coriolis force.

(v) The effect of the shearing force decreases downward toward the null point. Due to this, the direction of the flow turns farther into right.