The ocean currents move in mighty ways! As you performed the experiment what did you observe?
When the ice cubes started to melt when happened to the blue water?
The water moved towards the bottom, towards the warmer water in the middle. As the cold water got warmer, it started to rise.
What happened to the warm red water?
The hot water stays on the surface in a layer because cold water is more dense than hot water. As the hot water cools, it began to sink and mix with the blue water.
How does this experiment show how the Oceans mix together?
Just like the ice cubes in the tank, the cold, heavier (denser) water from the poles moves along the bottom of the ocean towards the equator. The water here is warmer and lighter. The warmer water at the equator moves along the surface of the ocean toward the poles where the water is cold. This movement is called currents. The currents cause the cold water and warm water of the world oceans to constantly change places.
Click on the image below to compare your results with how the experiment should have turned out.
When the ice cubes started to melt when happened to the blue water?
The water moved towards the bottom, towards the warmer water in the middle. As the cold water got warmer, it started to rise.
What happened to the warm red water?
The hot water stays on the surface in a layer because cold water is more dense than hot water. As the hot water cools, it began to sink and mix with the blue water.
How does this experiment show how the Oceans mix together?
Just like the ice cubes in the tank, the cold, heavier (denser) water from the poles moves along the bottom of the ocean towards the equator. The water here is warmer and lighter. The warmer water at the equator moves along the surface of the ocean toward the poles where the water is cold. This movement is called currents. The currents cause the cold water and warm water of the world oceans to constantly change places.
Click on the image below to compare your results with how the experiment should have turned out.