Oceans | Experiment 2 - Currents: Water behavior in density-driven currents
Experiment 2
Currents: Water behavior in density-driven currents
Purpose/Hypothesis
One way that seawater moves vertically is when a mass of water changes densities. These convection or density-driven currents occur at a slower rate than surface currents. Density-driven currents occur when water becomes less dense and begins to rise, or water becomes more dense and begins to sink. Either way, the moving water pushes the water below or above it to take its place.
Density in ocean water is caused by both its salinity and temperature. This experiment focuses on how temperature differences help form density-driven currents. You will add liquids of different temperatures to various temperatures of water, and observe the behavior of the water. Dyes will allow you to observe the different temperature waters.
Before you begin, make an educated guess about the outcome of...
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