SCIENCEChapter 5

Bellringer!

1. Compare rivers and surface currents. Whatforce causes each to move?

2. What are the three factors that controlsurface currents in the oceans?

VOCABULARYocean current: movement of ocean water thatfollows a regular pattern.

surface current: horizontal movement ofocean water caused by wind near surface.

Coriolis effect: curving of straight pathdue to the Earth’s rotation.

deep current: stream-like movement of waterdeep below the surface.

VOCABULARY

density: the amount of matter in a givenspace or volume.

salinity: measure of the amount ofdissolved salts or solids in a liquid.

NOTES

global winds

Coriolis effect

continental deflection

Factors that control surface currents:

NOTES

decreasing temperature

increasing density

increasing salinity through freezing

increasing salinity through evaporation

Factors that form deep currents:

ASSESSMENT

• 1). How does a continent affect the movement ofsurface currents?

• 2). How do temperature and salinity affect theformation of deep currents?