Ocean Currents and Circulation Concepts

The video explains the concept of currents, both in water and air, and their causes. It discusses how the Sun's uneven heating of Earth affects air pressure, leading to wind patterns influenced by the Coriolis effect. These winds drive ocean surface currents, forming gyres that move water and heat globally. The video also covers deep ocean currents, affected by temperature and salinity, and their role in the global ocean conveyor belt, which circulates heat and connects the world's oceans.

What is a current in the context of water and air flow?

• A type of weather pattern

• The flow of water or air within a larger body

• A measure of water temperature

• A stationary body of water

How does the Sun's uneven heating of Earth affect air pressure?

• It results in high pressure at the poles and low pressure at the equator

• It creates high pressure at the equator and low pressure at the poles

• It causes uniform air pressure across the globe

• It has no effect on air pressure

What is the Coriolis effect?

• The curving of wind patterns due to Earth's rotation

• The effect of gravity on ocean currents

• The straight-line movement of winds

• The warming of ocean water by the Sun

How do ocean surface currents move heat energy?

• By cooling down the ocean surface

• By moving warm water from the equator to the poles

• By moving warm water from the poles to the equator

• By remaining stationary

What are gyres?

• Areas of high air pressure

• A type of wind pattern

• Giant rotating systems of ocean currents

• Small streams in rivers

What factors affect the density of ocean water?

• Only temperature

• Only salinity

• Both temperature and salinity

• Neither temperature nor salinity

What is upwelling in the ocean?

• The rising of deep, cold water to the surface

• The sinking of warm water

• The formation of sea ice

• The movement of water from the equator to the poles

What is another name for the overturning circulation?

• The global ocean conveyor belt

• The atmospheric circulation

• The oceanic gyre

• The global wind pattern

How do the currents in the overturning circulation affect the world's oceans?

• They only move water in the Southern Hemisphere

• They create isolated water bodies

• They flow all over the world's oceans, connecting them

• They prevent heat dispersion

How are the currents in a small river similar to global currents?

• They connect different parts of the world

• They are influenced by the Coriolis effect

• They are stationary

• They flow in straight lines