Earth Science Rocks! Warm Up

1. Earth Science Rocks!Warm Up • Question: What causes ocean tides?

2. Earth Science Rocks! • Standard: Recognize the significant role of water in Earth’s processes. • Essential Question: How do currents move water?

3. Ocean Currents Lab • Problem: What things affect the flow and direction of a current in a simulated model? Materials: • Shallow tray with water • Food coloring in a beaker • Cup • Rock • pipette • towels

4. Activity 1—Global Winds • Carefully fill the tray with water. Let the water settle. Place a few drops of food coloring at one end of the tray, being careful not to “push” the water with your pipette. Gently blow across the tray. • 1. Observe and sketch • 2. Where do the currents move rapidly? • 3. What happens to the water as it moves away from the wind source?

5. Activity 2--Landmasses • Place a cup upside down in the middle of the tray. Put the rock on top to weigh down the cup. The cup represents an island. Add a few drops of food coloring in the front of the island and gently blow across the tray. • 1. Observe and sketch. • 2. What effect does the island have on the current? • 3. Is the current stronger in front of or behind the island. How can you tell?

6. Activity 3 –Geography of coastlines • Change the water if needed. Take out the cup and place the rock in the water. This models a natural coastline with an irregular shape. Add a few drops of food at one end of the tray and blow across the tray. • 1. Observe and sketch • 2. Are the currents more or less complex with the irregular shaped object? • 3. Do the currents always move in the direction of the wind?

7. Activity 4—Rotation of the Earth and Coriolis Effect • Change the water if needed. Add a few drops of food coloring in a pie pan. Gently turn the pan while blowing in one direction. • List 3 things that might influence the movement of currents in the ocean.

8. What’s the difference between waves and currents? • Watch a Studyjamsvideo