Ocean Currents

What causes ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere to curve to the right?

• The Coriolis effect

• Wind patterns

• Temperature differences

• Salinity gradients

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Where is ocean water the densest?

• At the surface

• In the deep ocean

• Near the equator

• In polar regions

Where is ocean water the least dense?

• At the surface

• At the bottom

• Near the equator

• Near the poles

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Two types of ocean currents are: ________________________ and ________________________

• surface currents and deep ocean currents.

• tidal currents and wind-driven currents.

• polar currents and equatorial currents.

• warm currents and cold currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Temperature and salinity differences in ocean water cause: ________________________

• Deep ocean currents

• Tidal waves

• Marine life extinction

• Coral bleaching

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The Gulf Stream carries ____________ water from the east coast of the United States to the west coast of Europe.

• warm

• cold

• salty

• fresh

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

As you go deeper in the ocean, the water is ____________ and ________________.

• more dense and colder

• less dense and warmer

• more dense and warmer

• less dense and colder

Due to the Coriolis Effect, water in the Northern Hemisphere moves ________________ and the water in the Southern Hemisphere moves ________________.

• clockwise; counterclockwise

• to the left; to the right

• upwards; downwards

• downwards; upwards

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Warm ocean currents generally come from ____________________.

• the equator

• polar regions

• temperate regions

• the deep ocean

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A horizontal movement of ocean water that is caused by wind and occurs at or near the ocean’s surface is called a ____________________.

• surface current

• tide

• wave

• whirlpool

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6