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Explore the world's ocean currents, their causes, and their impact on temperature, climate, and marine life. Learn about wind-driven surface currents, deep ocean currents, and the Coriolis effect. Discover how scientists study and measure these currents using drifters and satellites.
What you will learn
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I S S U E 2 0 • S U M M E R 0 1
Ocean in Motion
OCEAN CUR- RENTS MAP When wind-driven surface currents run into conti- nents, the water must turn and flow toward either the poles or the equa- tor (Earth’s mid- section). The effect of Earth’s rotation causes moving objects on Earth to follow curved paths (a scientific prin- ciple known as the Coriolis effect),
Scientists Studying Currents
Temperature can vary a lot in the ocean. Shallow, tropical waters can reach close to 9 0°F (31° C), while water at the poles will be close to freezing (28.4° F, - 2° C). Seawater freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water (32° F, 0° C) because of its salt content. The warmest water in any area is at the surface, and the coldest water is at the bot- tom. This is partly because the sun warms surface water. However, cold water is heavier
Pressure is a measure of the weight of the water and atmosphere pushing down- ward at any given point. There is 15 pounds per square inch of pressure at sea level. In the deepest parts of the ocean, pressure is around 15,000 pounds per square inch, an
Density is a measure of weight, technically the weight of a liquid divided by how much space it takes up. Salinity, temperature, and pressure work together to create density. Movement happens when two opposing forces are not in balance. When one part of the ocean is denser than the surrounding area, water movement will take place. This creates currents. Because of the many fac-
Properties of Water
Of Toys and Tennis Shoes
Salinity is the scientific term for the amount of saltiness in water. All water has some dissolved salts in it, but the ocean has much more salt than fresh water. Ocean water is always evaporating into the atmosphere, but the salt remains in the ocean. Thus, the ocean remains salty even though fresh water is continually being added by rainfall and by rivers and runoff from land. Density is the scientific term for the weight of water. Salt water weighs more than fresh
Make Your Own SOLO Float b y K e v i n H a r d y
What You’ll Need 1 clear 2-liter soda bottle filled with water to within 2 inches of the top 1 soda straw 1 small ball of clay 1 toothpick 3 to 4 pieces of clear tape 1 tall glass of water
Building Your Float
Ballasting
What’s Happening When conducting both of these experiments, you’re changing the drifter’s density by chang- ing its displacement, which is how much water is pushed out of the way for it to be there. The air inside the straw is part of the drifter. When you squeeze the soda bottle, you raise the pres- sure inside the soda bottle enough to compress the air inside the straw. Because the air now takes up less space, the drifter becomes a little heavier and sinks. You can adjust how much you compress the air inside the straw and make the drifter sink, float, or stay at one depth. A real Scripps SOLO float changes its displacement by pumping oil
Experiment 1 Step 1: Squeeze the sides of the bottle. What does the drifter do? Why? Step 2: Watch the air inside the straw as you or a friend squeeze the soda bottle. Step 3: Your drifter should sink when you squeeze the bottle and rise when you release it. Practice making the drifter
Experiment 2 Step 1: Hold the bottle with both hands on the table top, and give it one quick swirl so that the water swirls around inside. Your drifter will be riding along on the surface. Step 2: Now squeeze the bottle and send the drifter down about halfway to the bot- tom. The drifter should be riding along below with the “current.” Step 3: Release the soda bottle and the drifter will rise to the surface, but now in a