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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.
The primary purpose of the passage is to
A.resolve a controversy
B.describe a phenomenon
C.outline a theory
D.confirm research findings
E.classify various observations
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.
A.I only
B.II only
C.I and II only
D.II and III only
E.I, II, and III
It can be inferred from the passage that the author regards current knowledge about heat and moisture transfer from the ocean to air as
A.revolutionary
B.inconsequential
C.outdated
D.derivative
E.incomplete
The passage suggests that if on a certain day the wind were to decrease until there was no wind at all which of the following would occur?
A.The air closest to the ocean surface would become saturated with water vapor.
B.The air closest to the ocean surface would be warmer than the water.
C.The amount of moisture in the air closest to the ocean surface would decrease.
D.The rate of heat and moisture transfer would increase.
E.The air closest to the ocean would be at the same temperature as air higher up.
