Ocean Currents Warm Up

Which two main factors most directly affect surface currents in the oceans?

• upwelling and the sun’s energy

• deep currents and convection currents

• dissolved solids and dissolved gases

• surface winds and the Coriolis Effect

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How does convection cause ocean currents?

• During the process of convection, energy is transferred to the atmosphere, forming winds. These winds power surface currents.

• During the process of convection, the heating of surface water by the sun results in upwelling.

• During the process of convection, energy in warm water is lost to its surroundings. The water cools, becomes denser, and sinks.

• During the process of convection, more minerals and gases dissolve in warm water. This increases the density of the warm water and causes it to sink.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Stream like movements of water

• Ocean Currents

• Continental Deflections

• Coriolis Effect

• Upwelling

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Because the Earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Ocean Currents

• Continental Deflections

• Coriolis Effect

• Upwelling

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Currents are on the surface or less than a 100 meters deep (330 feet)

• Ocean Currents

• Convection Currents

• Deep Currents

• Surface Currents

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Winds on the surface cause the warm surface water to be replaced with the colder more nutrient rich water. 

• Ocean Currents

• Continental Deflections

• Coriolis Effect

• Upwelling

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Temperature and salinity differences in ocean water cause:

• Mid-ocean ridges

• Deep Currents

• Surface Currents

• High tide and low tide

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What do ocean currents move around the world?

• Gases
• Nutrients
• Heat Energy
• All of these

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6