Question

Explain the relationship density has on wind currents and ocean currents.

Answer 1

So, in the most basic sense, cold fluids are denser than hot fluids, and thus hot fluids tend to rest on top of cold ones. Using ocean currents as an example, water that is heated near the bottom of the ocean (say, from a thermal vent) will tend to rise upwards, thus creating motion in the water. The same goes for air. Think about the fact that in a house, the top floors tend to be hotter than the bottom floors. That's because "heat rises," but heat "rises" because warm air is less dense than cool air. Really dramatic differences in air temperature give rise to movements in the air that can, in some cases, cause some of the most destructive weather patterns.