Currents, salinity, and Coriolis Effect

Which three factors most directly affect surface currents in the oceans?

• upwelling, convection, and the sun’s energy

• deep currents, convection currents, and surface winds

• dissolved solids, dissolved gases, and the sun’s energy

• surface winds, the Coriolis Effect, and continental deflection

Tags

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Stream like movements of water

• Ocean Currents

• Continental Deflections

• Coriolis Effect

• Upwelling

Tags

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

Movements of ocean water located far below the surface.

• Ocean Currents

• Convection Currents

• Deep Currents

• Surface Currents

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Surface Currents are driven mainly by

• Coriolis Effect

• Wind

• Upwelling

• Moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes surface currents north and south of the equator to move in different directions?

• Gases in the ocean

• The rotation of the Earth

• Temperature differences

• Continental deflection

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

True or False: Surface currents affect coastal climates.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The salt content of a substance

• density

• temperature

• convection

• salinity