Ocean Waves, Currents, & Tides Project

Front

What is heat energy in the context of ocean water?

Back

Heat energy is the energy stored in ocean water from the sun, which is distributed around Earth as ocean water flows.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What primarily affects the height of ocean waves?

Back

The height of a wave is most affected by the speed of the wind.

Front

How do deep ocean currents form?

Back

Deep ocean currents form as cold, dense water sinks and flows beneath warmer ocean water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What drives surface currents in the ocean?

Back

Surface currents are mainly driven by the wind.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What happens to temperature and salinity as ocean depth increases?

Back

As depth increases, temperature decreases and salinity increases.

Front

Define ocean currents.

Back

Ocean currents are large-scale movements of water within the oceans, driven by factors such as wind, temperature, and salinity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The Coriolis Effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as ocean currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

Explain the difference between surface currents and deep ocean currents.

Back

Surface currents are driven by wind and occur at the ocean's surface, while deep ocean currents are driven by differences in water density and temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What role does solar energy play in ocean currents?

Back

Solar energy heats the ocean, affecting water temperature and density, which in turn influences ocean currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is salinity?

Back

Salinity is the concentration of salts in water, which affects the density and behavior of ocean water.