A rotary current sets through all directions...

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a01c

A rotary current sets through all directions of the compass. How much time does it take to complete one of these cycles, in a locale off the East coast of the U.S.?

Back

Question 1 of 27070

Q

A rotary current sets through all directions of the compass. How much time does it take to complete one of these cycles, in a locale off the East coast of the U.S.?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Rotary current and how it relates to the tidal cycle • Typical semidiurnal tide pattern on the U.S. East Coast (two high tides and two low tides each day) • Relationship between full tidal period and the time for a current to rotate through all directions

💭 Think About

• Think about how many times per day tides change direction where a rotary current exists and how that connects to a full 360° rotation of the current direction. • Consider whether the rotary current completes its cycle with every high/low tide, or over a longer tidal period. • Relate the choices given in hours to fractions or multiples of the main tidal cycle off the East Coast.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify the typical length of a tidal day in hours (not 24 exactly). • Check how long one tidal cycle (from high water back to the next high water) lasts off the U.S. East Coast. • Compare each answer choice to see which one matches a full rotary cycle associated with a semidiurnal tide.