Waves, Tides, and Currents

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What are ocean currents?

Back

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

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What causes tides?

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Tides are caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

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A transverse wave is a type of wave where the motion of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel, such as ocean waves.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Front

What are surface currents?

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Surface currents are ocean currents that occur in the upper layer of the ocean, carrying warmer, less dense water from the equatorial regions to polar regions.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What factors affect ocean current patterns?

Back

Ocean current patterns are affected by wind, temperature, salinity, and the Earth's rotation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the difference between warm and cold currents?

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Warm currents carry warmer water from the equator towards the poles, while cold currents carry cooler water from the poles towards the equator.

Front

What role do underwater volcanoes play in ocean currents?

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Underwater volcanoes can affect ocean currents by altering water temperature and salinity, which can change current patterns.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What are longshore currents?

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Longshore currents are currents that move parallel to the shore, caused by waves hitting the beach at an angle.

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How do tides affect marine life?

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Tides create varying water levels that influence the availability of food and habitat for marine organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4