Final answer:
b. form drag. The form drag would have the greatest effect on a swimmer performing the crawl (freestyle) stroke in a smooth ocean.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drag Forces in Swimming
In the crawl (freestyle) stroke, the form drag would have the greatest effect on a swimmer in a smooth ocean.
Form drag is caused by the resistance experienced by an object moving through a fluid due to its shape and size. In swimming, the swimmer's body and limbs create turbulence and interact with the water, resulting in form drag.
Wave drag is caused by the generation of waves as an object moves through a fluid, and it is more relevant for objects traveling at high speeds, such as boats. Pressure drag is caused by the difference in pressure between the front and back of an object moving through a fluid, and it can be reduced by having a streamlined shape.
Therefore, the correct answer for the greatest effect on a swimmer performing the crawl stroke in a smooth ocean would be form drag (b).