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Chapter 2: Problem 5

How does the circular water motion function to redistribute heat from the tropics northward and southward towards the poles?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Short Answer: Ocean currents, influenced by the Coriolis Effect and driven by temperature and salinity differences (thermohaline circulation), work together to redistribute heat from the tropics towards the poles. This movement of water helps to maintain Earth's temperature balance and contributes to a more stable global climate.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Ocean Currents

Ocean currents are the continuous movement of water in the ocean, driven by wind, temperature differences, and salinity variations. These currents play a crucial role in redistributing heat across the globe. There are two types of ocean currents: surface currents and deep water currents. Surface currents are driven mainly by the wind and affect the top 400 meters of the ocean. In contrast, deep water currents are driven by density differences caused by temperature and salinity variations (known as thermohaline circulation) and affect the deeper parts of the ocean.
02

The Role of the Coriolis Effect

The Coriolis Effect is a phenomenon caused by the Earth's rotation, which influences the movement of water and air on the planet. As a result, ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere are deflected to the right, while currents in the Southern Hemisphere are deflected to the left. This causes the formation of large, circulating patterns of water called gyres, which play a significant role in distributing heat across the Earth. In this context, the Coriolis Effect helps to explain the northward and southward movement of heat from the equator to the poles through the oceanic circulation patterns.
03

Examining the Thermohaline Circulation

Thermohaline circulation is a global system of deep ocean currents driven primarily by temperature and salinity differences. In the polar regions, cold water sinks due to its higher density, while warm water rises in the tropics. This circulation creates a conveyor belt-like system that transfers heat from the warmer equatorial regions to the colder polar regions. The warm surface currents flow toward the poles, where they release heat into the atmosphere, while the cold, deep currents flow back towards the equator, completing the loop. This helps redistribute heat across the Earth, regulating the planet's climate.
04

Putting It All Together

In conclusion, the circular water motion in the ocean, including surface currents, deep water currents, and the influence of the Coriolis Effect, functions to redistribute heat from the tropics northward and southward towards the poles. The movement of water and heat transfer through the ocean currents and thermohaline circulation help maintain Earth's temperature balance, warming colder regions and cooling warmer areas to contribute to a more stable global climate.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The \(23.5^{\circ}\) tilt of Earth on its north-south axis gives rise to the seasons (review Figure 2.7 ). How would the pattern of seasons differ if the Earth's tilt were \(90^{\circ} ?\) How would this influence the diurnal (night-day) cycle?

How does a mountain affect the patterns of precipitation and subsequently the occurrence of vegetation on its windward and leeward sides?

What is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and why does it give rise to a distinct pattern of seasonality in precipitation in the tropical zone?

Why do equatorial regions receive more solar radiation than the polar regions? What is the consequence to latitudinal patterns of temperature?

Explain how temperature affects the moisture content in air. Why does the tropical region experience high precipitation?
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