Ocean currents are similar to winds in the atmosphere in that they transfer. These 4 factors keep currents flowing in distinct patters around the earth. When ocean water evaporates, the water becomes more dense because most of the salt remains in the water. They will discuss how they work and how these currents affect regional and global climate. Generally speaking, the fact of the lesson is that warmer ocean currents produce warmer weather, while cooler ocean currents have the opposite effect. Explain to students that this is a depiction of ocean currents called the ocean conveyor belt.
Ocean currents flow like vast rivers, sweeping along predictable. Unit 5 airwater movements first colonial oceanography. Use the following for a class code wknvqbepqq regardless of the class you are in. This unit consists of 5 lessons focused on ocean currents and physical oceanography. Rescue lab activity this is a fun little latitudelongitude ocean current activity. Ocean currents worksheet for 5th 12th grade lesson planet. A powerpoint with lecture content and activity guidance for the teacher is also provided along with a 5e chart. Ocean currents summary students will learn what causes ocean currents and how they play a role in distributing marine debris and pollution around the world. The discover your changing world with noaa activity book was compiled and developed under the direction of the project working group.
Deep water currents are another category of ocean currents. Download a sessionbysession timeframe for teaching open ocean. Grades 48 learning goals students will understand the location of the major surface currents of the oceans, how surface currents affect nearby landmasses, the relationship between temperature of water and density. Find ocean currents lesson plans and teaching resources. This module discusses the origin of ocean currents in both the open ocean and in coastal areas. All curricula and activities are available for download and print. Currents are influenced by global wind coriolis effect, salinity, continental deflection and convection cells. Surface waters of the earths oceans are forced to move, primarily by winds.
Mass flows of water, or currents, are essential to understanding how. Point out that ocean currents are driven by the wind and influenced by the landmasses that obstruct the flow of water as well as the density and temperature of the water. The module focuses on the driving mechanisms for currents. For a more detailed description, download a pdf file of the synopsis and key concepts of each activity.
Ocean currents and climate national geographic society. Selection file type icon file name description size. The following aspects are highlighted in this lesson. Mapping ocean currents national geographic society.
Ocean currents rescue lab activity this is a fun little latitudelongitude ocean current activity. Materials needed optional computers with internet access. Students plot the path of 2 current buoys to determine the location of a lost ship crew in the indian ocean. These streamlike movements of water are caused by different factors.
Ocean currents, including the ocean conveyor belt, play a key role in. Page1 reading activity to introduce students to the basics of ocean currents. Energy of the ocean waves, currents and tides marine. As a current student on this bumpy collegiate pathway, i stumbled upon course hero, where i can find study resources for nearly all my courses, get online help from tutors 247, and even share my old projects, papers, and lecture notes with other students.
Prior to this lesson students should know that currents are flows of gas, water. The speed of surface currents is greatest closer to the oceans surface. Winds blowing for long periods of time can cause currents. Ocean currents only affect things living in the ocean. Atmospheric pressure, winds, and circulation patterns cengage.
For example, wind pushes the water along the surface to form winddriven currents. We will show a video clip showing sea level height and describe its connection to ocean circulation. Activity ocean currents of the world only pages 4 and 5. Each lesson contains at least one handson activity with instructions or a worksheet for the students. Energy of the ocean waves, currents and tides marine ecology.
Ocean current notesocean water contains streamlike movements of water called ocean currents. Both, however, tend to moderate the temperature more than inland. Pdf today, ocean currents are also gaining importance due to the. This is a crossover science activity oceanography geography graphing. Click on the left and right arrow to scroll through the lesson, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow. Covers types of currents surface and deep and the role of ocean currents and the planet. Whichever way the wind blows, the current moves the same way. Sprinkle a teaspoon of herb oregano or chili powder over the surface. In the activity, students play a game focused on the primary surface current names and locations. March 16th 20th assignments 1st please complete the attached ocean currents sheets.
Pdf today, ocean currents are also gaining importance due to the possibility. Knowledge of ocean floor features by recognizing midocean ridges and the geologic activity taking place there. Dont forget to use a red colored pencil for the warm currents and a blue colored pencil for the cold currents. Read the information below temperature affects and surface currents. Students will gain an understanding of how water density and salinity affect ocean currents in the. Bruce moravchik noaa ocean service peg steffen noaa ocean service frank niepold noaa climate program office luann dahlman noaa climate program office written and edited by mel goodwin, phd, charleston, sc. Dissolve the salt in one of the jars and add blue food coloring.
Because the earths equator is warmed by the most direct rays of the sun, air at the equator is hotter than air further north or south. Objectives students will watch an internet video on ocean currents and. Water at depth flows the same way as water at the surface. The movement of this heat through local and global ocean currents affects the regulation of local weather conditions and temperature extremes. Usage attributionnoncommercialnoderivs topics environmental sciences. We will investigate what causes the atmosphere and oceans to move and how this movement impacts the airwater system. Ocean currents motion in the ocean lesson plan ocean currents lesson plan motion in the ocean theme ocean currents and waves links to overview essays and resources needed for student. Ocean currents worksheet pdf free download printable.
Wind is not the only factor that affects ocean currents. In this ocean currents worksheet, students will use maps of the atlantic ocean currents and the pacific ocean currents to complete 6 short answer questions. Download an assortment of puzzles, brainteasers, coloring activities, and formal curricula for grades 112. Ocean current worksheet temperature affects and surface. Water mass a body of water identifiable from its temperature, salinity or chemical content.
This worksheet is easily accessible and can be incorporated into any of your personal uses. Kelp forest ecosystem dynamics in search for the giant squidsquid dissection. Approximate location of the subtropical jet stream and area of activity of the polar front jet. Download the national or california state science education standards correlation for the open ocean curriculum. The process of global ocean circulation is presented, emphasizing the importance of this process for climate regulation. Circulation water movement in the ocean currents cohesive streams of sea water that circulate through the oceans. The deep waters of the oceans come from the surface water cooled in the polar region. Each of the following diagrams is a pdf file which depicts the general ocean circulation andor tidal currents in their respective areas. Knowledge of ocean floor features by recognizing mid ocean ridges and the geologic activity taking place there. The ocean in motion circulation in this program, students will learn about the driving forces responsible for ocean circulation.
Concepts salt water is more dense than fresh water, and is therefore heavier. Surface currents carry warm water toward the poles. Nov 29, 2015 monsoon system and ocean currents around sri lanka 1. Pdf ocean currents have many profound impacts on marine life, moving not only animals and. All ocean currents are caused by either wind patterns or by differences in water densities. Currents are caused by water flowing in the ocean downhill like a river. Er2412 introduction to oceanography department of earth resources engineering university of moratuwa group 2 2. Monsoon system and ocean currents around sri lanka 1. View, download or print this ocean currents worksheet pdf completely free. This is a zipped file containing all the sections necessary for a unit on ocean currents. Ocean current, stream made up of horizontal and vertical components of the circulation system of ocean waters that is produced by gravity, wind friction, and water density variation in different parts of the ocean.
Ocean currents never change, but are persistent features of the ocean. As industrial activity has increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, downwelling. Make sure you are reading more about ocean currents tonight. What causes ocean currents and how do we measure them. These include shipping, rescue operations, transport. This hotter air rises up at the equator and as colder air moves in to take its place, winds begin to blow and push the ocean into waves and currents. To examine the nature of ocean currents, what causes them and the effects. Grades 48 learning goals students will understand the location of the major surface currents of the oceans, how surface currents affect nearby landmasses, the relationship between temperature of water and density, the relationship between salinity of water and density. Ocean current worksheet temperature affects and surface currents. Upper water mass includes the wellmixed surface layers of the ocean and the thermocline. The module focuses on the driving mechanisms for currents, along with influences that modify existing currents. Click here for video introduction ocean currents are regular movements of water in one direction in the ocean. Explore the idea of what causes ocean currents by comparing how water behaves. Ocean currents ocean water moves on and below the surface in streams known as currents.
In this section the focus is on surface currents and the threedimensional global ocean circulation. In section 1 it was noted that ocean currents can affect regional climate and the global surface distribution of temperature and salinity. Using the data table and the current cards, draw in each of the currents onto the global ocean surface current map label and draw in the correct location and direction of each. In earths equatorial regions, surface ocean water becomes saltier as the water, but not the salt, evaporates. Currents overview lesson 8 presents the mechanisms that drive surface and deep ocean currents. Use your map with the labeled currents of the world to sail around the world. Describe the typical gyre circulation of surface currents in two major ocean basins. Where winds blow in the same direction for a long period of time, currents will develop that transport large masses of water over considerable distances across. If you want to learn about what causes ocean currents, this is a cool way to get started. This ocean currents worksheet is suitable for 5th 12th grade.
Ocean water is constantly moving, and not only in the form of waves and tides. Students will calculate the magnitude of ocean currents, given data from drifter studies. How do ocean currents affect atmospheric conditions of land areas. Winddriven ocean currents ocean surface topography.
Scholars used chapter 5, section 1 pages 124128 to learn more about ocean currents. In this unit, we will explore the ways that air and water move. Various socioeconomic activities depend on a clear understanding of surface currents. Display the ocean conveyor belt cartoon from the resource carousel. Print, complete and place in the handout envelope in your notebook. The gulf stream, a warm ocean current, has a different effect on the climate of new york city and the surrounding coastal areas. Click the image or here to download the rest of the story board images. A collection of curricula for the starlab ocean currents cylinder. In the following activity, you will have the chance to observe how water moves as wind blows across it. Ocean currents get ready to add this simple ocean currents activity to your ocean lesson plans this season. Ocean currents introduction and map activity by geo.
Over larger areas, circular wind patterns create hills and valleys on the. Monsoon system and ocean currents around sri lanka. Seasonal and spatial variation of surface current in the pemba. Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes. The ocean conveyor belt is caused by differences in water temperature and salinity. Where winds blow in the same direction for a long period of time, currents will develop that transport large. In this activity, you examined the relationship between salinity and deep ocean currents without changing the waters temperature.
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