4. The Atmosphere - The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect And Global Climate Change: The Gulf Stream

Question 1

Does hot/cold water rise or sink?

Answer 1

Hot water rises - cold water sinks

This is becuase when fluids (liquids and gases) areheated, they expand and therefore become less dense. Any object or substance that is less dense than a fluid will float in that fluid, sohot waterrises (floats) in colderwater. When fluids are cooled, they contract and therefore become more dense and sink

Question 2

Does salt water rise or sink?

Answer 2

Higher salt content water sinks becuase its denser, so lower salt content wanter rises becuase its lighter

Question 3

Why do we have saltier water in some areas?

Answer 3

We have saltier water becuase hot water evaporates, leaving the salt and cold water behind, therefore making the cold water more salt concentrated.

Question 4

What are the 2 main drivers to the North Atleantic (NA) conveyor?

Answer 4

1. Winds that blow from the south west to the north-east which blow the surface waters in that direction
2. Water in the North East Atlantic is cooler and therefore sinks rapidly. This pulls in more water to replace it driving the current.

Question 5

How does the Gulf Stream work?

Answer 5

• Warm ocean currents are surface currents, come ocean currents travel at depth (below surface)
• hot water is evaporated, reducing the ratio of salt:water
• where salt content is high, water becomes more dense and therefore sinks
• this rapid sinking pulls in more warmer surface currents

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Question 6

What happens to the gulf stream is the ice melts?

Answer 6

If the ice melts and dilutes the salt water, it becomes less dense and stops sinking, therefore the conveyor stops entirely.