Ocean Currents Review

Front

What causes an increase in density in ocean water?

Back

When warm water loses energy to its surroundings and cools, it increases in density.

Front

What happens to hot water when poured into a tank of cold water?

Back

The hot water sinks to the bottom because it is initially less dense than the cold water.

Front

How are surface currents in the ocean created?

Back

Surface currents are caused by winds blowing across the ocean surface.

Front

What role does the ocean play in regulating atmospheric carbon?

Back

The ocean can absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the amount of carbon in the air.

Front

How do ocean waves and currents distribute solar energy?

Back

They transfer solar energy around the globe, not just along the equator.

Front

What is the definition of ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents are large-scale flows of seawater that move through the ocean, driven by factors like wind, temperature, and salinity.

Front

What is the difference between surface currents and deep ocean currents?

Back

Surface currents are driven by wind and occur in the upper layer of the ocean, while deep ocean currents are driven by differences in water density.

Front

What is thermohaline circulation?

Back

Thermohaline circulation is the global movement of ocean water driven by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline) differences.

Front

How does salinity affect water density?

Back

Higher salinity increases water density, causing it to sink.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving objects, like ocean currents, due to the rotation of the Earth.