Transcript Ocean Currents • Objective: How does the temperature affect the

Ocean Currents
• Objective:
How does the temperature affect the
ocean’s currents?
Oceans Video
http://www1.teachertube.com/vie
wVideo.php?video_id=173915&titl
e=Exploring_Oceans&vpkey=
Ocean Currents
Movement in ocean
water caused by
temperature, wind,
and the moon’s
gravity
Surface Currents
Near the top of the ocean and are
caused by winds
Deep Currents
• Movement deep below the ocean’s surface
caused by changes in density (water
temperature) and salinity (amount of salt)
– Hot water is LESS dense and will always rise
above cold water
Global Conveyor Belt
• Deep water current
How do currents affect
climates?
Warm
______
currents mean
warm climate
Cold currents bring in
_______
climates
Cooler
Day time
Night time
Reality Check:
How does the temperature affect
the ocean’s currents?
1.Which best explains the cause of
currents that move north from the
equator?
A Cold water at the poles rises and moves
toward the tropics.
B Warm water at the equator rises and moves
toward the poles.
C Warm water near the coastline rises and
moves toward the poles.
D Cold water deep in the ocean rises and
moves toward the tropics.
2.The Gulf Stream is a warm water current that
begins in the Gulf of Mexico. A diagram of the
Gulf Stream is shown below.
Which best describes the movement of the Gulf
Stream?
A Cold currents carry cold water from the polar zones toward the
equator.
B Warm currents carry warm water from the tropics toward the poles.
C Warm currents carry cold water from the tropics toward the poles.
D Cold currents carry warm water from the polar zones toward the
equator.
3.Which most likely causes the
movement of warm surface ocean
currents?
A Sunlight heats air forming strong winds that
push currents.
B Low and high tides create energy for current
movement.
C Shifting ocean plates force water toward the
poles.
D Warm waters help in the melting of icebergs
and glaciers.
4. Ocean currents bring deep, nutrient-rich
water to the surface. What causes these
currents to move upward?
A Warm rainwater mixes with surface water,
pushing deep water upward.
B Cold surface water from the poles sinks,
pushing deep water upward.
C Wind currents cause surface water to sink,
pushing deep water upward.
D Surface runoff from rivers causes warm water
to sink, pushing deep water upward.
Reality Check:
How does the temperature affect
the ocean’s currents?