Ocean Currents Move Heat - Middle School Earth and Space Science
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What is an ocean current?
What is an ocean current?
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A large, continuous movement of ocean water in a set direction. Currents are like rivers within the ocean, flowing continuously.
A large, continuous movement of ocean water in a set direction. Currents are like rivers within the ocean, flowing continuously.
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Which property of seawater increases most directly when temperature decreases?
Which property of seawater increases most directly when temperature decreases?
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Density. Cold water molecules pack closer together than warm ones.
Density. Cold water molecules pack closer together than warm ones.
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What is an ocean current in the context of heat redistribution on Earth?
What is an ocean current in the context of heat redistribution on Earth?
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A continuous flow of seawater that transports heat and matter. Currents act as conveyor belts moving thermal energy globally.
A continuous flow of seawater that transports heat and matter. Currents act as conveyor belts moving thermal energy globally.
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What is the main way surface ocean currents are driven in most models?
What is the main way surface ocean currents are driven in most models?
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Global wind patterns pushing the ocean surface. Wind friction drags surface water, creating horizontal flow patterns.
Global wind patterns pushing the ocean surface. Wind friction drags surface water, creating horizontal flow patterns.
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What are deep ocean currents primarily driven by in circulation models?
What are deep ocean currents primarily driven by in circulation models?
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Density differences caused by temperature and salinity. Cold/salty water is denser and sinks, driving vertical circulation.
Density differences caused by temperature and salinity. Cold/salty water is denser and sinks, driving vertical circulation.
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What is the main way surface ocean currents redistribute heat on Earth?
What is the main way surface ocean currents redistribute heat on Earth?
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They move warm water poleward and cold water equatorward. This creates a heat exchange system between equator and poles.
They move warm water poleward and cold water equatorward. This creates a heat exchange system between equator and poles.
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What is a gyre?
What is a gyre?
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A large, rotating system of surface currents in an ocean basin. These circular patterns form due to winds and Coriolis effect.
A large, rotating system of surface currents in an ocean basin. These circular patterns form due to winds and Coriolis effect.
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Which two water properties control density and drive deep currents in thermohaline circulation?
Which two water properties control density and drive deep currents in thermohaline circulation?
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Temperature and salinity. Cold and salty water is dense and sinks, driving circulation.
Temperature and salinity. Cold and salty water is dense and sinks, driving circulation.
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What is thermohaline circulation?
What is thermohaline circulation?
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Global deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity differences. Also called the global conveyor belt of deep ocean flow.
Global deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity differences. Also called the global conveyor belt of deep ocean flow.
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Which direction do subtropical gyres rotate in the Northern Hemisphere?
Which direction do subtropical gyres rotate in the Northern Hemisphere?
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Clockwise. Coriolis effect causes rightward deflection, creating clockwise flow.
Clockwise. Coriolis effect causes rightward deflection, creating clockwise flow.
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Which direction do subtropical gyres rotate in the Southern Hemisphere?
Which direction do subtropical gyres rotate in the Southern Hemisphere?
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Counterclockwise. Coriolis effect causes leftward deflection, creating counterclockwise flow.
Counterclockwise. Coriolis effect causes leftward deflection, creating counterclockwise flow.
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What is the primary energy source that heats surface ocean water and starts heat transport?
What is the primary energy source that heats surface ocean water and starts heat transport?
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Solar radiation from the Sun. The Sun heats tropical waters more than polar waters.
Solar radiation from the Sun. The Sun heats tropical waters more than polar waters.
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What is a warm current?
What is a warm current?
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A current that carries relatively warm water toward cooler regions. These currents transfer heat from warm to cold areas.
A current that carries relatively warm water toward cooler regions. These currents transfer heat from warm to cold areas.
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Which direction do currents deflect in the Southern Hemisphere due to Coriolis effect?
Which direction do currents deflect in the Southern Hemisphere due to Coriolis effect?
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To the left. Coriolis force deflects leftward south of the equator.
To the left. Coriolis force deflects leftward south of the equator.
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Which is denser: cold, salty seawater or warm, fresh seawater?
Which is denser: cold, salty seawater or warm, fresh seawater?
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Cold, salty seawater. Cold and salt both increase density, making water sink.
Cold, salty seawater. Cold and salt both increase density, making water sink.
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Identify what happens to surface water density when temperature decreases (salinity constant).
Identify what happens to surface water density when temperature decreases (salinity constant).
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Density increases. Cold water molecules pack closer together, increasing density.
Density increases. Cold water molecules pack closer together, increasing density.
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What is upwelling in an ocean-current model?
What is upwelling in an ocean-current model?
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Rising of deep, cold water to the surface. Wind or density differences push deep water up to replace surface water.
Rising of deep, cold water to the surface. Wind or density differences push deep water up to replace surface water.
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Which process brings cold water to the surface and can cool nearby air temperatures?
Which process brings cold water to the surface and can cool nearby air temperatures?
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Upwelling. Deep water is colder than surface water, cooling air when it rises.
Upwelling. Deep water is colder than surface water, cooling air when it rises.
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Which two properties of seawater most directly control density in ocean current models?
Which two properties of seawater most directly control density in ocean current models?
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Temperature and salinity. Cold or salty water is denser; warm or fresh water is less dense.
Temperature and salinity. Cold or salty water is denser; warm or fresh water is less dense.
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What happens to seawater density when temperature decreases (all else equal)?
What happens to seawater density when temperature decreases (all else equal)?
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Density increases. Cold water molecules pack closer together than warm water molecules.
Density increases. Cold water molecules pack closer together than warm water molecules.
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What is a gyre in an ocean-current model?
What is a gyre in an ocean-current model?
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A large, circular system of rotating surface currents. Wind and Coriolis effect create these ocean-scale circular patterns.
A large, circular system of rotating surface currents. Wind and Coriolis effect create these ocean-scale circular patterns.
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What is an ocean current?
What is an ocean current?
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A large, continuous movement of seawater in a specific direction. Like rivers in the ocean, moving in predictable paths.
A large, continuous movement of seawater in a specific direction. Like rivers in the ocean, moving in predictable paths.
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In the Northern Hemisphere, which direction does the Coriolis effect deflect moving water?
In the Northern Hemisphere, which direction does the Coriolis effect deflect moving water?
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To the right. Earth's rotation creates rightward curve in Northern Hemisphere.
To the right. Earth's rotation creates rightward curve in Northern Hemisphere.
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What is the main way ocean currents redistribute heat on Earth?
What is the main way ocean currents redistribute heat on Earth?
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They move warm water poleward and cold water equatorward. This creates a global heat exchange system between equator and poles.
They move warm water poleward and cold water equatorward. This creates a global heat exchange system between equator and poles.
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In the Southern Hemisphere, which direction does the Coriolis effect deflect moving water?
In the Southern Hemisphere, which direction does the Coriolis effect deflect moving water?
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To the left. Earth's rotation creates leftward curve in Southern Hemisphere.
To the left. Earth's rotation creates leftward curve in Southern Hemisphere.
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