How is it possible for ocean water to have layers? The sixth installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program investigates factors that cause different water densities to occur. Experiments solidify understanding that salinity and temperature affect water density.

Concepts

oceanography, oceans, salinity, ocean zones, water density, water temperature

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the lesson to introduce how ocean layers form

Classroom Considerations

• Demonstration and experiment require materials and prior preparation
• Note that the lesson only covers conceptual ideas and does not actually name the ocean layers; provide a handout or visual with these layers

Pros

• Learners will be engaged in the subject matter through the lab
• Resource includes slideshow and answer key for student handouts

Cons

• None