ummm...i think the sun powers the wind, and the wind powers the currents. that's what all of my sources say, but if im wrong, then.....well yeah you get the point.
Wind and ocean currents are both produced by the Earth's unequal heating. This leads to the conclusion that the Sun is the main component in wind currents and ocean currents, because the Sun is what heats the Earth.
Uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun leads to temperature differences in the atmosphere and ocean. This temperature variance creates areas of high and low pressure, which in turn drive wind patterns. Wind patterns then influence the movement of surface ocean waters, creating ocean currents.
Ocean currents at the SURFACE -- their primary cause is SOLAR ENERGY. Due to solar energy, much of the wind pattern originates and this wind pattern in turn causes ocean currents on the surface.
Heat from the sun warms the surface of the ocean, causing the water to expand and become less dense. This warm water then moves towards colder regions, creating ocean currents as it cools and sinks. The rotation of the Earth, winds, and differences in salinity also play a role in the formation of ocean currents.
Surface currents are caused by wind, and affected by the rotation of the Earth and the gravity of the moon (tides). When the oceans are deep, convection within the layers can also affect the flow of currents. * While wind currents are greatly affected by uneven heating of the Earth's surface, there is no corresponding heating of the ocean bottom by the Sun. So currents do not form spontaneously at depth.
Earth's Rotation (Coreolis Effect (spelling?)), Heat from the sun, gravity from the sun and moon.
Wind and ocean currents are both produced by the Earth's unequal heating. This leads to the conclusion that the Sun is the main component in wind currents and ocean currents, because the Sun is what heats the Earth.
Uneven heating from the sun.
A Spring tide.
The sun causes currents in the ocean because it is warming the water in the ocean in the day while it is hot, and then in the night when the sun goes down, the ocean starts to cool. Since the air above the water is warmer than in the water, this causes the water to rise up to the warmth until it gets cooled by the night, or from rain. This is what created movement and currents in the ocean from the sun.
The steps to how the sun provides the energy for surface ocean currents
Uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun leads to temperature differences in the atmosphere and ocean. This temperature variance creates areas of high and low pressure, which in turn drive wind patterns. Wind patterns then influence the movement of surface ocean waters, creating ocean currents.
Ocean currents at the SURFACE -- their primary cause is SOLAR ENERGY. Due to solar energy, much of the wind pattern originates and this wind pattern in turn causes ocean currents on the surface.
The steps to how the sun provides the energy for surface ocean currents
The steps to how the sun provides the energy for surface ocean currents
The steps to how the sun provides the energy for surface ocean currents
The steps to how the sun provides the energy for surface ocean currents