Science Common Sense
1303 - What are the different movements of ocean water, including waves, currents, and tides?
There are a few main movements of ocean water. Let's break them down:
Waves: These are big swells of water that move up and down on the surface of the ocean. They're usually made by wind blowing over the water.
Currents: These are like rivers in the ocean that move in a certain direction. They can be caused by wind, the rotation of the Earth, or the temperature of the water. Some currents are fast and some are slow.
Tides: These are the regular rises and falls of the ocean water level. They're caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on the water. There are two main types of tides: high tide (when the water is high) and low tide (when the water is low).
Think of it like this: - Waves move up and down on the surface. - Currents move sideways, carrying water. - Tides move the whole ocean level up and down.