Factors Influencing Ocean Currents

Which 3 factors impact surface currents?

• winds

• salinity

• temperature

• continental deflection

• Coriolis Effect

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which 2 factors impact deep currents?

• winds

• salinity

• temperature

• continental deflection

• Coriolis Effect

What causes wind?

• Differences in air pressure

• Differences in salinity

• Differences in density

• The Coriolis Effect

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes pressure differences on Earth's surface?

• surface curretns

• uneven heating from the Sun

• gyres

• the Coriolis Effect

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which way do gyres rotate in the Northern Hemisphere?

• clockwise as currents curve to the right

• counterclockwise as currents curve to the left

• clockwise as currents curve to the left

• counterclockwise as currents curve to the right

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which way do gyres rotate in the Southern Hemisphere?

• clockwise as currents curve to the right

• counterclockwise as currents curve to the left

• clockwise as currents curve to the left

• counterclockwise as currents curve to the right

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which example has the highest density?

• cold / high salinity

• cold / low salinity

• warm / high salinity

• warm / low salinity

Which example has the lowest density?

• cold / high salinity

• cold / low salinity

• warm / high salinity

• warm / low salinity

What event would cause an increase in salinity of ocean water?

• precipitation

• evaporation

• melting of polar ice caps

• runoff from freshwater streams

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What's the relationship between global winds and surface currents?

• Surface currents flow the opposite of global winds.

• Surface currents cause global winds to flow in the same direction.

• Global winds cause surface currents to flow in the same direction.

• Global winds cause surface currents to flow in the opposite direction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6