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Item CL023002: When ocean water moves to a place where the air above it is colder than the water, the warmer water transfers thermal energy to the air, making the air warmer and the water colder.

When ocean water moves to a place where the air above it is colder than the water, what happens to the water and the air?

  1. The warmer water transfers thermal energy to the air, and they both become warmer.
  2. The colder air transfers thermal energy to the water, and they both become colder.
  3. The warmer water transfers thermal energy to the air, making the air warmer and the water colder.
  4. Nothing happens because thermal energy cannot be transferred between air and water.
Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 2099
6–8
n = 1012
9–12
n = 1078
Male
n = 1025
Female
n = 1011
English
n = 1728
Other
n = 248
A. 25% 27% 23% 24% 24% 25% 25%
B. 29% 28% 30% 27% 31% 29% 32%
C. 30% 28% 33% 31% 29% 31% 29%
D. 16% 18% 15% 17% 16% 16% 15%