Ocean Current/Wind 8.10A

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids and gases) where warm air or liquid rises and cool air or liquid sinks.

Front

What causes ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents are caused by wind, the Earth's rotation, and differences in water temperature and salinity.

Front

How does the sun influence convection currents?

Back

The sun heats the Earth's surface unevenly, causing warm air to rise and cool air to sink, creating convection currents.

Front

What is a sea breeze?

Back

A sea breeze is a local wind that occurs during the day when the land heats up faster than the ocean, causing cooler air from the ocean to move inland.

Front

What effect does cooler water have on hurricanes?

Back

Cooler water reduces the strength of a hurricane by decreasing the heat energy available to fuel the storm.

Front

What is the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation?

Back

Conduction is heat transfer through direct contact, convection is heat transfer through fluid movement, and radiation is heat transfer through electromagnetic waves.

Front

Why does warm air rise?

Back

Warm air rises because it is less dense than cool air, causing it to be buoyant.

Front

What role does the Earth's rotation play in ocean currents?

Back

The Earth's rotation causes the Coriolis effect, which influences the direction of ocean currents.

Front

How does salinity affect ocean water density?

Back

Higher salinity increases the density of ocean water, which can affect currents and stratification.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

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