Stemscopedia Ocean Currents

Front

What causes certain parts of the ocean to have warmer temperatures?

Back

The uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

Front

What type of heat transfer is responsible for warm water rising and cold water sinking in the ocean?

Back

Convection.

Front

Why do ocean currents not move in a straight line from the poles to the equator?

Back

The earth is spinning and continents are in the way.

Front

When heat is transferred during convection, heat moves from __________ to __________ temperatures.

Back

High to low.

Front

What type of heat transfer is responsible for heating the Earth's surface by the Sun?

Back

Radiation.

Front

Define ocean currents.

Back

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

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) caused by differences in temperature and density.

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

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

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

Front

What is radiation in terms of heat transfer?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.