Ocean Currents

______ causes surface currents.

• The Coriolis Effect

• gravity

• density differences

• wind

Answer explanation

Wind causes surface currents by transferring its energy to the water, creating movement and flow in the ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

______ causes deep ocean currents

• The Coriolis Effect

• gravity

• wind

• density differences

Answer explanation

Density differences cause deep ocean currents by creating variations in water mass that drive the movement of water at different depths.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Decreasing ocean temperature causes the density of the water to ______.

• decrease

• increase

• stay the same

• fluctuate

Answer explanation

Decreasing ocean temperature causes the density of the water to increase, as colder water is denser than warmer water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

The __________ is a surface current that flows along the eastern US and brings warm water to Europe.

• California Current

• Gulf Current

• North American Gyre

• Arctic Current

Answer explanation

The Gulf Current is the surface current that flows along the eastern US and brings warm water to Europe.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Where is ocean water the densest.

• The surface

• The middle

• The bottom

Answer explanation

Ocean water is the densest at the bottom due to the combination of low temperature and high salinity, making it heavier than the water above.

Warm ocean currents generally come from

• The North Pole

• The South Pole

• The Equator

• Both A and B

Answer explanation

Warm ocean currents generally come from the Equator, as they are heated by the sun near the Equator and then flow towards the poles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity. It moves water around the globe.

• California Current

• Global Conveyor Belt

• Surface Currents

• Gulf Stream

Answer explanation

Constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity. It moves water around the globe.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What heats the Earth's oceans?

• People

• Boats

• a heater

• sun

Answer explanation

The sun heats the Earth's oceans, not people, boats, or a heater.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Why does heat rise in a convection current?

• less dense

• more dense

• more humid

• less humid

Answer explanation

Heat rises in a convection current because it is less dense than the surrounding cooler air, causing it to move upwards.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Analyze the image. What could explain why certain parts of the ocean have warmer temperatures?

• the uneven heating of the Earth's surface

• the rising of cold air and the sinking of warm air

• hurricanes

Answer explanation

The uneven heating of the Earth's surface can explain why certain parts of the ocean have warmer temperatures.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6