Explain how an increase in temperature affects the density of ocean water. Use your own words.

An increase in temperature causes the water molecules to move faster and spread out, resulting in a decrease in density.

Describe the relationship between salinity and density in ocean water. What happens to density as salinity increases?

As salinity increases, the density of ocean water also increases.

The cold and very salty water would sink because it is denser than the warm and less salty water.

Density differences create movement as denser water sinks and less dense water rises, leading to currents.

Grade 8th Grade · Science · 45 min

I can explain how temperature and salinity affect the density of ocean water and create currents.

TED-Ed · 4:34

How do ocean currents work? - Jennifer Verduin

7 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer

Quick comprehension check

“Explain how changes in temperature and salinity affect the density of ocean water, and how this process contributes to deep ocean currents.”