Question

What determines how ocean currents move?

Describe what each component of the Currents Tank Investigation represents.

In the Currents Tank Investigation,

Put responses in the correct response input area to answer the question. Select a response, navigate to the desired input area and insert the response. Responses can be selected and inserted using the space bar, enter key, left mouse button or touchpad. Responses can also be moved by dragging with a mouse.
a. the water represents Response input area.

b. the sides of the tank represent Response input area.

c. blowing through the straw represents Response input area.

d. the moving pepper helps illustrate the movement of Response input area.

Answer 1

The movement of ocean currents is influenced by several factors, including:

1. **Wind patterns**: The direction and speed of winds drive surface currents.
2. **Temperature and salinity**: Variations in water temperature and salinity create density differences, affecting the movement of water.
3. **Earth's rotation**: The Coriolis effect, caused by the rotation of the Earth, influences the direction of currents.
4. **Geography**: The shape of coastlines, ocean basins, and the presence of landmasses affect current pathways.
5. **Coriolis effect**: This effect causes moving air and water to turn and twist instead of moving in a straight line.

For the Currents Tank Investigation, here’s what each component represents:

a. **the water represents**: **the ocean**.

b. **the sides of the tank represent**: **the landmasses or coastlines**.

c. **blowing through the straw represents**: **the wind or atmospheric conditions**.

d. **the moving pepper helps illustrate the movement of**: **water currents and their flow patterns**.