Movements of Ocean Water

1
Movements of Ocean Water

• There are 2 main types of motion of ocean water
• 1) Currents
• a) Surface currents
• b) Deep currents
• 2) Waves

2
Waves

• Winds cause waves on the surface of the ocean
• Waves are energy transferred through matter
• friction between the air molecules and the water
  molecules
• Waves of water do not move horizontally, they
  only move up and down
• Water (matter) moves in a circle
• Energy flows horizontally

3
Waves movements of energy

• From where does the energy come
• Wind
• stronger winds ? larger waves
• Seismic activity (movements of the earth)
• Gravity (tides)

4
Tides

• GravityMoon and Sun acting on
• Earth
• The Sun is farther so its pull is less
• G Mass1 x Mass2
• Distance2

5

• Gravitational pull MassE x MassM
• Distance2
• Moon is closer (¼ million miles) so it has a
  greater gravitational pull on Earth than the Sun
  which is 93 million miles away
• The far side of Earth is pulled less by the Moon
  than the near side of Earth

6
Gravity is acting equally on air, ocean and land
7
Spring and Neap Tides

• When the Sun and Moon act together, you get the
  highest high tides (and lowest low tides)Spring
  Tides
• Full and New Moon
• When the Sun and Moon oppose each other, you get
  the lowest high tides (and highest low
  tides)Neap Tides
• First and Third Quarter Moon
• http//www.sfgate.com/getoutside/1996/jun/tides.ht
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