51

Lesson 51 of 84 ยท Earth's History

Experiment

Ocean Currents and Climate (Part 2)

What You'll Learn

Ocean currents distribute heat around the planet, affecting climate worldwide. Warm currents flow from the equator toward the poles, and cold currents flow from the poles toward the equator.

Key Words

  • metamorphic
  • sedimentary

Materials Needed

  • rain gauge
  • cotton balls
  • food coloring
  • clear container
  • rocks

Safety First

  • Adult supervision recommended.
  • Do not taste any materials.

Steps

Step 1 โ€” Read

Read and learn: Ocean currents distribute heat around the planet, affecting climate worldwide. Warm currents flow from the equator toward the poles, and cold currents flow from the poles toward the equator.

Step 2 โ€” Do

Compare your results with a partner.

Step 3 โ€” Observe

Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.

Step 4 โ€” Record

Create a data table to organize your measurements.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What causes wind?