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Fluids that Moderate Climate

Grade level: 5-8
Theme: climate
Video: atmosphere_ocean_fluids.flv

Currently we have a 50 degree Fahrenheit difference between the temperatures around the equator and the temperatures at the high latitudes near the poles. So that's 50 degrees Fahrenheit difference. Now without those fluids - so if the earth didn't have an atmosphere and the earth didn't have an ocean (which might not make it very livable) - but if we just had a solid land planet, that temperature difference would be 200 degrees Fahrenheit. So it really gives you an idea of how much work those fluids are doing and how much heat they're delivering from the equator to the poles.
 
Student Outcomes 
After viewing this video, students should be able to:

Explain that the ocean holds a large amount of heat and the effect this has on climate. (C: 5-8)

Key:  C = climate / O = ocean circulation / T = 21st century technology / W = water cycle