Ocean Currents

Summary
A lesson on the physical science of ocean currents. The reading is accompanied by true/false questions.

Objectives
• To introduce students to the physical science associated with ocean currents.

Suggested Grades
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade

Excerpt
The branch of science known as oceanography is the study of the ocean and it has four major areas of specialization: geological, chemical, physical, and biological. Physical oceanography focuses on the motion and physical properties of ocean waters. Some of the ocean movements that physical oceanographers study include waves, tides and ocean currents. Ocean currents can be visualized as rivers flowing on a relatively fixed path through ocean waters. Ocean currents are strong enough forces that they are independent of the state of the wind and other weather effects at any given point in time.

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