The transfer of heat and water vapor from the ocean to the air above
it depends on a disequilibrium at the interface of the water and the
air. Within about a millimeter of the water, air temperature is close
to that of the surface water, and the air is nearly saturated with
water vapor. But the differences, however small, are crucial, and the
disequilibrium is maintained by air near the surface mixing with air
higher up, which is typically appreciably cooler and lower in
water-vapor content. The air is mixed by means of turbulence that
depends on the wind for its energy. As wind speed increases, so does
turbulence, and thus the rate of heat and moisture transfer. Detailed
understanding of this phenomenon awaits further study. An
interacting—and complicating—phenomenon is wind-to-water transfer of
momentum that occurs when waves are formed. When the wind makes waves,
it transfers important amounts of energy—energy that is therefore not
available to provide turbulence.From the above passage I have to answer the following question:
According to the passage, wind over the ocean generally does which of the following?
I. Causes relatively cool, dry air to come into proximity with the ocean surface.
II. Maintains a steady rate of heat and moisture transfer between the ocean and the air.
III. Causes frequent changes in the temperature of the water at the ocean’s surface.
- II only
- I only
- I and II only
- II and III only
- I, II, and III
The given solution is “2. I only”, but I do not understand why I is correct. Can you explain please?
Another question on the same passage:
It can be inferred from the passage that the author regards current knowledge about heat and moisture transfer from the ocean to air as
- revolutionary
- inconsequential
- incomplete
- outdated
- derivative
What could be the answer?
Answer
Sentences in the middle of the passage support (I): “…disequilibrium is maintained by air near the surface mixing with air higher up, which is typically appreciably cooler and lower in water-vapor content. The air is mixed by means of turbulence that depends on the wind…”
The passage doesn’t address either of the issues (II) and (III). It rules them neither out nor in.
Thus, according to the passage, wind over the ocean generally does (I), which is answer 2.
The sentence “Detailed understanding of this phenomenon awaits further study” points to 3, incomplete, as the answer to the other question.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : user2378 , Answer Author : James Waldby – jwpat7
