Question

what causes the differences in air masses that allow hurricanes to form over oceans?
a. ocean water is cool and cools the air above it.
b. ocean water is warm and heats the air above it.
c. ocean water contains salt that reacts with air, changing the air pressure.
d. ocean water contains algae that make oxygen, changing the airs composition.

Explanation:

Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters. The warm ocean water heats the air above it, creating low - pressure systems and fueling the hurricane's development. Option A is incorrect as cool ocean water would not provide the necessary heat for hurricane formation. Option C is wrong because the reaction of salt with air is not a significant factor in air mass differences for hurricane formation. Option D is incorrect as the production of oxygen by algae in ocean water is not the main cause of the air mass differences that allow hurricanes to form.

Answer:

B. Ocean water is warm and heats the air above it.