Ocean Currents

Which of the following can cause an increase in density that results in a deep ocean current?

• The sun heats the water’s surface.

• A warm wind blows across cold water.

• An iceberg melts, adding fresh water to ocean water.

• Warm water loses energy to its surroundings and cools.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following movements of ocean water has the greatest direct effect on the growth of producers?

• upwelling

• deep current

• surface current

• convection current

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which three factors most directly affect surface currents in the oceans?

• upwelling, convection, and the sun’s energy

• deep currents, convection currents, and surface winds

• dissolved solids, dissolved gases, and the sun’s energy

• surface winds, the Coriolis Effect, and continental deflection

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How does convection cause ocean currents?

• During the process of convection, energy is transferred to the atmosphere, forming winds. These winds power surface currents.

• During the process of convection, the heating of surface water by the sun results in upwelling.

• During the process of convection, energy in warm water is lost to its surroundings. The water cools, becomes denser, and sinks.

• During the process of convection, more minerals and gases dissolve in warm water. This increases the density of the warm water and causes it to sink.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Stream like movements of water

• Ocean Currents

• Continental Deflections

• Coriolis Effect

• Upwelling

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Currents change direction by hitting the continents or other large landmass.

• Ocean Currents

• Continental Deflections

• Coriolis Effect

• Upwelling

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Because the Earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Ocean Currents

• Continental Deflections

• Coriolis Effect

• Upwelling

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Dom makes a table to compare the percentage of various gases in the atmosphere to the percentage of gases dissolved in the ocean. His table is shown below.

Which of the gases listed in Dom’s table is less common in ocean water than it is in the atmosphere?

• argon

• oxygen

• nitrogen

• carbon dioxide

Movements of ocean water located far below the surface.

• Ocean Currents

• Convection Currents

• Deep Currents

• Surface Currents

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Currents are on the surface or less than a 100 meters deep (330 feet)

• Ocean Currents

• Convection Currents

• Deep Currents

• Surface Currents

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6