Ocean Currents & Wind
· The Sun’s energy drives convection in the atmosphere and in the oceans, producing wind and ocean currents
Vocabulary
Thermal energy, convection, conduction, radiation, atmosphere, high pressure, low pressure, wind, Coriolis effect, convection current
Students Must Know...
· Thermal energy is transferred in three ways: convection, conduction, and radiation
· Radiant energy from the Sun sets up convection currents where warm fluids rise and cold fluids sink
· Wind is caused by differential heating: warmer, less dense air has less pressure than cooler, denser air; these differences in pressure result in the movement of air (wind)
· Ocean currents are convection cells in the water
· Ocean currents are driven by wind at the surface (surface currents)
· Deep ocean currents are driven by temperature differences and salinity differences
· Warm water is less dense than cold water
· Water with more salt is more dense than water with less salt
· Radiant energy from the Sun sets up convection currents where warm fluids rise and cold fluids sink
· Wind is caused by differential heating: warmer, less dense air has less pressure than cooler, denser air; these differences in pressure result in the movement of air (wind)
· Ocean currents are convection cells in the water
· Ocean currents are driven by wind at the surface (surface currents)
· Deep ocean currents are driven by temperature differences and salinity differences
· Warm water is less dense than cold water
· Water with more salt is more dense than water with less salt
Be able to...
· Differentiate between the three types of thermal energy transfer
· Recognize the role of the Sun in setting up convection currents
· Explain how convection currents produce wind and ocean currents