1. How does the energy flow?
Ocean Currents
How does the energy flow?

2. Learning Target: I can use a model of ocean circulation to:
Explain the flow of energy and
Explain the cycling of matter in earth’s oceans.

3. Vocabulary
Ocean current: a movement of ocean water that follows a regular pattern.
Surface current: movement of water at the ocean’s surface.
Coriolis effect: When air or water curves from a straight path due to the earth’s rotation.
Convection: the movement of matter due to different densities.
Continental deflection: When the direction of the water changes after meeting the continent.

4. Factors that Affect Surface Currents
Global Winds: The winds transfer energy to surface water
Continental Deflections: The current changes direction when the water reaches the continents.
The Coriolis Effect: Causes water to drift inward to the center of the gyres.

5. THEREFORE: Warm water is less dense than cold water.
Properties of Water
Cold water has slower moving particles which have less energy than warm water.
Warm water has particles that move faster. They bounce around and move further apart
THEREFORE: Warm water is less dense than cold water.

6. Properties of Water
Fresh water is less dense.
As you add salt, the water becomes denser.
Salt water will sink when combined with fresh water.