Which of the following values is the best estimate for the average speed of ocean currents in meters per second ($m/s$)?

• A. $0.1$ $m/s$
• B. $100$ $m/s$
• C. $10$ $m/s$
• D. $1$ $m/s$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that ocean currents are large-scale flows of seawater that move continuously through the oceans, driven by factors such as wind, Earth's rotation, and differences in water density.
2. Recall that typical speeds of ocean currents are much slower than speeds of rivers or atmospheric winds, generally on the order of centimeters to a few tenths of a meter per second.
3. Consider the given options: 0.1 m/s, 1 m/s, 10 m/s, and 100 m/s. Speeds like 10 m/s or 100 m/s are extremely high for ocean currents and are more typical of fast-moving vehicles or atmospheric phenomena.
4. Recognize that 1 m/s is still quite fast for an ocean current; most well-known currents like the Gulf Stream average around 1 to 2 m/s at their fastest, but typical average speeds are lower.
5. Conclude that the best estimate for the average speed of ocean currents is around 0.1 m/s, which aligns with observed data and physical understanding of ocean dynamics.