Part 1
Please identify whether the following characteristics describe deep ocean currents, surface currents, or BOTH
a. _______________Occurs when water moves horizontally along the top of ocean water
b. _______________Occurs because water moves
c. _______________Usually happens because of wind blowing across the top of water due to Earth’s rotation
d. _______________Occurs when water moves vertically (up and down)
e. _______________Because of differences in density, colder water sinks while warmer water rises
f. _______________Because of differences in salinity, some water rises while other water sinks
g. _______________If you’re the captain of a ship, it’s super important to know how these types of currents
move
h. _______________These types of currents severely affect the climate and weather of countries
Part 2
Please draw arrows to show the direction that each mass of water will move. The first one has been done for you.
Hot water
Cold water
Water with high density Water with low density
Water with 13% salinity
45 degree water
Water with low salinity
13 degree water
Water with high salinity
Water with 54% salinity
Part 3: Short answer
Please answer in complete sentences (remember RACE!)
1. What are three factors (things) that cause currents?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. What are two differences between surface currents and deep ocean currents?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Part 4: Challenge
Predict if salinity would increase or decrease if the following things happened to ocean water:
1. If a ton of freshwater rain fell on an ocean, its salinity would increase/decrease because
___________________________________________________________
2. If it was a really hot day and the sun made a ton of water evaporate (dry up), its salinity would increase/decrease
because ___________________________________________________________
3. If an iceberg (made of fresh water) melted in ocean water, its salinity would increase/decrease because
___________________________________________________________
Deep Ocean Currents
OH, I REMEMBER…
What is a current?
Draw arrows to represent how these types of currents
move…
_____________
_____________
_____________
_____________
SURFACE CURRENTS
DEEP OCEAN CURRENTS
Let’s look at relationships!
Draw dots to represent how tightly packed
molecules are in…
COLD WATER
WARM WATER
PREDICT
If cold and warm water meet, then
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
because
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Which has more density- cold water or warm
water? ____________________________
Observation: Either draw or describe below what happens
when warm water meets cold water in the ocean:
Relationship between density and salinity
Draw dots to represent…
WATER WITH HIGH
WATER WITH LOW
SALINITY
SALINITY
Which has more density- water with high
salinity or water with low salinity?
____________________________________
PREDICT
If water with high salinity and water with low
salinity meet, then
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
because
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
DRAW OR DESCRIBE: Bill Nye Video: What happens when water with high salinity and water with low salinity meet?