Ocean Current Lab

Ocean Surface Currents Lab Directions

1. Use one of the 2-liter bottles to fill your blue pan 2/3rds full of water.

2. Using the SMALL BEAKER, combine 150 mL of slightly warm water, 1 small container of salt and 12 droppers full of food coloring. Stir this mixture thoroughly but carefully.

3. WAIT for the water in the tray to become still.

4. CAREFULLY pour this mixture into the pan with cold water from the corner. You should do this like it was demonstrated or else the lab will fail.

4. I really mean number four. Seriously!!!

5. Observe and think about how this mixture moves. This mixture is denser due to the salt. It shows deeper water currents and how currents change due to density.

6. Diagram the layers that you see in the observation section in view 1 “Before the Wind Blows”, and then ask Ms. Alsept for the blue food coloring.

7. Use the straw to gently blow on the surface of the water in order to model surface currents.

8. Draw the paths that the blue water takes in view 2 “After the Wind Blows”. This represents surface currents.

9. Clean up by pouring out your water, washing and drying your pan and beaker, throwing away your straw, and filling up your bottle again.