On Earth, the land and atmosphere absorb some radiation from the Sun. However, most of this radiation is absorbed by the oceans. Which statement best describes the effect of the oceans' absorption of solar radiation on Earth? a) Solar energy absorbed by ocean water reduces the chance of strong rainstorms forming.
b ) Ocean water acts as an insulator for land environments, since water becomes more dense as it is warmed and the warm water sinks.
c) Water can store large amounts of solar energy, and the movement of ocean water transports thermal energy around the globe affecting weather and climates.
d )Absorption of solar energy by the ocean means that most organisms will live on land because the ocean is too warm to support many species.

answer; /// (a) and (b) ; /// but i believe the correct answer is ; /apart from fines and jail time, driving under the influence puts the life of the driver and everyone else on the road at risk; (b)

the earth’s crust is broken into separate pieces called tectonic plates (fig. 7.14). recall that the crust is the solid, rocky, outer shell of the planet. it is composed of two distinctly different types of material: the less-dense continental crust and the more-dense oceanic crust. both types of crust rest atop solid, upper mantle material. the upper mantle, in turn, floats on a denser layer of lower mantle that is much like thick molten tar.

each tectonic plate is free-floating and can move independently. earthquakes and volcanoes are the direct result of the movement of tectonic plates at fault lines. the term fault is used to describe the boundary between tectonic plates. most of the earthquakes and volcanoes around the pacific ocean basin—a pattern known as the “ring of fire”—are due to the movement of tectonic plates in this region. other observable results of short-term plate movement include the gradual widening of the great rift lakes in eastern africa and the rising of the himalayan mountain range. the motion of plates can be described in four general patterns:

collision: when two continental plates are shoved together

subduction: when one plate plunges beneath another (fig. 7.15)

spreading: when two plates are pushed apart (fig. 7.15)

transform faulting: when two plates slide past each other (fig. 7.15)