Ocean Currents

Front

What causes movement in ocean water due to differences in temperature?

Back

Bodies of water at different temperatures have different densities.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the process called that describes the circulation of hot and cold matter?

Back

Convection.

Front

What natural source heats the Earth's oceans?

Back

The Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

How does salinity affect ocean currents?

Back

Differences in salinity generate movement in the ocean because the amount of dissolved salt correlates to the density of the water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the definition of density in the context of ocean water?

Back

The amount of matter in a given volume.

Front

What is the primary factor that drives ocean currents?

Back

Differences in temperature and salinity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

How does the density of water affect its movement in the ocean?

Back

Water with higher density tends to sink, while water with lower density tends to rise, creating currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What role does the Coriolis effect play in ocean currents?

Back

It causes moving water to turn and twist, influencing the direction of currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is thermohaline circulation?

Back

A large-scale ocean circulation driven by differences in temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

How do wind patterns influence ocean currents?

Back

Winds push the surface water, creating currents that can affect deeper water layers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6