Currents

Question 1

What are currents

Answer 1

Broad , continuous movement of ocean water

Like massive river within the ocean

Question 2

Surface Currents

Answer 2

Currents within the top 100-200m of the ocean that are driven by winds.
These currents result from major wind patterns.
Carry heat or cold from one place to another

Question 3

What affects wind and surface currents

Answer 3

1. Uneven heating in the atmosphere
2. Rotation of the Earth
3. the continents

Question 4

Trade winds and Westerly winds

Answer 4

Trade Winds- winds near the equator that blow from the east and drive currents westward
Westerly Winds- Winds that blow from the west and drive ocean currents eastward
(pg.427)

Question 5

Warm currents

Answer 5

Warm currents affect the climate because as they move they transfer heat from one place to another
Form near the equator where the suns heat is most intense

Question 6

Cold currents

Answer 6

Cold currents affect the climate because as they move they draw heat from the air
Form near the Arctic and Antarctic regions

Question 7

Heat Capacity

Answer 7

Heat capacity is the amount of time it takes to heat up a substance and cool it down, the amount of heat it can hold.
Water has a high heat capacity meaning that it takes a relatively long time to heat up and cool down.
This means it serves and natural heat reservoirs in colder weather

Question 8

Temperature in the Ocean

Answer 8

Three layers
1 mixed layer- Area that the suns energy can penetrate
Within 200m usually 25-30 C
2 thermocline- region of rapid temperature decline
From 25-30 C to about 5C
3 deep water- Region that remains very cold, close to freezing point- Decline only 1 degree- 4C