Name: __________________________________
Date: ____________________ Period: _______
Pg 59
Quick Check Ocean Currents
Compare and contrast the two different types of currents.
Explain the factors that affect each of them.
Type of Current Factors that affect this type of current
Name of Factor
SURFACE
CURRENTS
Coriolis
Effect
Density
DEEP
OCEAN
CURRENTS
Explanation of how ocean water is affected
Earth’s rotation affects the paths of surface
currents. If Earth did not rotate, surface currents
would flow in _______________ (curved/straight)
lines. Since the Earth does rotate, surface currents
travel along ____________(curved/straight) paths.
Density is the mass per unit volume.
Differences in water density cause masses of water
to move deep under the surface.
Water with a ________ (high/low) density SINKS.
Water with a ________ (high/low) density RISES
upward.
Salinity is the amount of ___________ in the water.
Salinity
Water with a HIGH salinity will ________(float/sink)
because it is ___________ (more/less) dense.
Water with a LOW salinity will ________(float/sink)
because it is ___________ (more/less) dense.