What are surface currents caused by?

Surface currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the Sun. Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth's rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.

What are the two surface currents?

Local Surface Currents Two are longshore currents and rip current. Longshore currents move water and sediment parallel to the shore. They move in the direction of the prevailing local winds.

What are the 2 driving forces creating surface currents?

The main drivers of ocean currents are as follows: 1. The Coriolis Force. The rotation of the earth causes two main inertial forces: the centrifugal force pointing straight up (which is mostly swamped out by gravity), and the Coriolis force which points perpendicular to an object's motion.

What are two causes of currents?

Ocean currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides….Oceanic currents are driven by three main factors:

The rise and fall of the tides. …
Wind. …
Thermohaline circulation.

Feb 26, 2021

What causes surface currents quizlet?

What causes surface currents to move? It is caused by wind action, Earth's spin, and the shape of the continents. Also, the speed, direction, and volume of water can be affected by the uneven heating of the atmosphere. The force of wind blowing over the top of the Earth.

What causes surface currents and deep currents?

In contrast to wind-driven surface currents, deep-ocean currents are caused by differences in water density. The process that creates deep currents is called thermohaline circulation—“thermo” referring to temperature and “haline” to saltiness.

What are surface currents?

Surface currents are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the sun. These currents bring heat from the tropics to the polar regions; the Gulf Stream, for instance, brings warm water along the eastern coast of the US up to Northern Europe.

Whats a surface current?

(′sər·fəs ‚kə·rənt) (oceanography) Water movement which extends to depths of 3-10 feet (1-3 meters) below the surface in nearshore areas, and to about 33 feet (10 meters) in deep-ocean areas. Any current whose maximum velocity core is at or near the surface.

What is created by friction between wind and surface water?

Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, are created by the friction between wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest. These types of waves are found globally across the open ocean and along the coast.

What are the two main factors that influences ocean currents?

Winds, water density, and tides all drive ocean currents. Coastal and sea floor features influence their location, direction, and speed. Earth's rotation results in the Coriolis effect which also influences ocean currents.

What causes ocean surface currents quizlet?

Which factor causes surface ocean currents quizlet?

Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents. Currents occur at the surface of and deep within the ocean. The Coriolis effect contributes to the direction of current flow. Wind direction, the spin of Earth, and differences in temperature contribute to currents.

What is a surface current?

What two main factors control the speed and direction of the major ocean surface currents?

What two main factors control the speed and direction of the major ocean surface currents? Prevailing winds and the Coriolis Effect.

What causes surface waves?

Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, are created by the friction between wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest. These types of waves are found globally across the open ocean and along the coast.

What is an example of surface currents?

Two examples are the California Current (Cal) in the Pacific ocean basin and the Canary Current (Can) in the Atlantic ocean basin. The North Equatorial Current (NE) and the South Equatorial Current (SE) flow in the same direction. The SE turns south and behaves the opposite of the gyres in the Northern Hemisphere.

What is friction and list two Importance of friction?

Friction is responsible for many types of motion. It helps us walk on the ground. Brakes in a car make use of friction to stop the car. Asteroids are burnt in the atmosphere before reaching Earth due to friction.

What causes currents quizlet?

Both rivers and surface currents are long, moving bodies of water. However, rivers flow because of the pull of gravity, while surface currents are driven by the wind and by the rotation of the Earth. What are three factors that control deep currents? Density, salinity, and temperature; accept also the Coriolis effect.

What causes currents in the ocean?

What makes ocean currents flow? Tides contribute to coastal currents that travel short distances. Major surface ocean currents in the open ocean, however, are set in motion by the wind, which drags on the surface of the water as it blows. The water starts flowing in the same direction as the wind.

What are the 2 types of surface waves?

There are several types of surface wave, but the two most common varieties are Rayleigh waves and Love waves.

What 2 media does a surface wave travel?

Surface waves travel only through solid media. They are slower-moving than body waves but are much larger and therefore more destructive. The two types of surface waves are named Love waves and Rayleigh waves, after the scientists who identified them.

Which are the two types of ocean currents?

There are two types of ocean currents:

Warm Ocean Currents.
Cold Ocean Currents.

What are the frictional forces produced between two bodies?

Friction always opposes the relative motion between the two contact surfaces. In result it can either increase or decrease the velocity of the bodies.

What causes of friction?

Friction is caused due to the irregularities on the two surfaces in contact. Even the smoothest surfaces have minute irregularities in them and these irregularities of the two surfaces interlock into each other and create friction.

What consists of a surface wave?

Surface waves are caused when P waves and S waves come to the surface. Examples are the waves at the surface of water and air (ocean surface waves). Another example is internal waves, which can be transmitted along the interface of two water masses of different densities.

What is an example of a surface current?

How do you find the frictional force between two surfaces?

As discussed, the formula for frictional force is given by F = μN.

What produces friction?

heat Friction is produced due to the irregularities between surfaces. Thus, when these surfaces rub against each other they produce heat.

What are the two things caused by friction?

Friction can result in an extra force needed to move an object. This means more energy is required. It can also cause parts in contact to heat up and even wear out.

What causes the force of friction between two surfaces?

Scientists are not completely sure what causes friction; however it is thought to be caused by the interactions between the tiny bumps on surfaces as they rub against each other. The bumps on each surface bend and exert a force on each other making it hard for the surfaces to slip over each other.