Temperature, Salinity, and Water Density Activity

Provided by: Science Learning Hub |Published on: November 16, 2023

Activity - Classroom

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Synopsis

This hands-on experiment demonstrates how the density of water is affected by temperature and salinity, then addresses how climate change impacts the Global Ocean Conveyor.
Students will observe how temperature and salinity impact the density of water in two containers and then discuss how increases in precipitation, ice melt, and global temperatures affect ocean currents that transport heat and nutrients around the world.

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Subjects: Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Science Learning Hub

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The questions for discussion following the activity help illustrate the components of a good experiment.
The activity requires a few materials that teachers may already have.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should know the terms density and salinity, and have a basic understanding of global warming.
Students should understand that the oceans are saltwater and that rain and ice are freshwater.
There is some background information for the teacher about the Global Ocean Conveyor, but the teacher will need to explain this concept to students before doing the activity.

Differentiation

Have students make predictions for what will happen when the ice melts and support their predictions with evidence from what they already know.
The answer to the last question can lead naturally to a discussion or lesson about positive feedback loops contributing to climate change.
After discussing that warmer oceans melt sea ice, students can learn about rising sea levels or glacial melt.
Students can read the linked articles about density and salinity in their reading period to build background before doing the experiment.

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Scientist Reviewed

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Temperature, Salinity, and Water Density Activity

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources