What Effects Do Ocean Currents Have on Climate and Weather?

Ocean currents are either permanent or continuous directed movements of ocean water that flow in our Earth’s oceans. These currents flow in complex patterns affected by the winds, heat content, earth’s rotation, water salinity differences, and ocean bottom topography. Ocean currents flow for thousands of kilometers.

Ocean currents play a huge role in earth’s climate and weather, especially in continents bordering oceans. A good example of ocean currents in regions bordering the oceans is the Gulf Stream which causes Northwest Europe to be more temperate compared to other regions with the same latitude.

One major factor of climate change is the temperatures of ocean water across the globe, and how they change on a yearly basis. Changes in ocean temperatures have a big effect on weather patterns, including providing energy for coastal storms and creating hurricanes.

Ocean Currents and Earth’s Rotation, Seasonal Winds

Earth’s rotation and seasonal winds push surface ocean water away from some western coasts, which causes the water that rises on the western edges of the continents bordering the ocean to replace it. This is why the ocean is usually much colder on the east coast compared to the west coast.

Ocean Currents and Heat Content

Oceans act as massive heat-retaining solar panels. Besides retaining heat, they also distribute the heat around the globe.

The heat causes water evaporation which in turn increases temperature and humidity in the surrounding air, forming rain and storms which are then carried by trade winds over long distances. The tropical regions of continents near oceans are particularly rainy are ocean evaporation is higher in these areas.

In other words, even the smallest changes in the ocean currents can have a huge effect on continental and global climate.

Ocean Currents and Heat Redistribution

Ocean currents play a crucial role in heat redistribution around the globe. When ocean water is heated by the sun near the equator, the winds transfer it to higher latitudes where it cools off and sinks.

This cold water then makes its way back to the Equator and the cycle repeats itself. This system is known as Thermohaline Circulation System. The effect of this is that regions in higher latitudes become colder compared to those near the Equator (lower latitudes).

Ocean currents basically act like conveyor belts which transport water and precipitation from the equator to the poles and back. Without these currents, continental temperatures would be extreme, meaning that regions around the Equator would be extremely hot while those around the polar region would be extremely cold, making most of these areas inhabitable.

Therefore, ocean currents do play a very crucial role on the Earth’s climate and weather.

The Neurologic and Neuropsychological Symptoms of Electric Shock

An electric shock is the physiological sensation, reaction, or injury caused by an electric current passing through a human body. It typically occurs when a person comes into contact with any electrical energy source that has the ability to cause a sufficient current through the muscles, skin, or hair.

How dangerous an electric shock is mainly depends on the power of the voltage, type of the current, how the current travels through a person’s body, and how quickly the person is treated. According to scientists, even a little amount of electricity can be dangerous. An electric shock is known to cause cardiac arrest, internal damage, neurologic and neuropsychological complications, and other injuries.

The Neurologic and Neuropsychological Effects of Electric Shock

Numerous studies conducted indicate that an electric shock ranging from 120-52,000 volts can cause severe neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms in humans. After an electrical accident, some patients show various emotional and behavioral after-effects such as memory loss, loss of consciousness, and depression.

Study Evidence

Dr. Benoit Bailey, an ER pediatrician and toxicologist collaborated with pediatricians Robert Thivierge and Pierre Gaudreault in a study whose aim was to assess the prevalence of short-term neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms after several months and also one year after an electric shock incident severe enough to have prompted a 24-hour cardiac monitoring.

The goal of the October 2000-November 2004 study was to find out whether any symptoms were associated with risk factors such as loss of consciousness, transthoracic current, tetany (neuromuscular spasms), or a shock of 1000 volts or more.

This is a study in which 134 patients aged 1-67 whose electric shocks were either from domestic causes (48% with shocks ranging from 120-240 volts) and others from industrial causes (38% with shocks ranging from 347-1200 volts) took part in.

Telephone follow-ups were also conducted to evaluate neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms such as muscular weakness, general fatigue, memory loss, dizziness, depression, psychological symptoms, pain, and extreme numbness. The first follow-up was finalized a few months after the electric shock accident while the second was carried out a year later.

During the short-term follow-up, the researchers found that 30 of 111 patients complained of new neurologic or neuropsychological symptoms. Common symptoms recorded were pain and general fatigue. Results from the one-year follow-up indicated that 24 of 86 patients still suffered from the symptoms. A few in the group even developed new symptoms.

From these studies, it’s plain to see that electric shock really does cause neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms. Although how electric shock causes these symptoms is somehow unclear, Doctor Bailey suggests that certain mechanisms are probably involved.

All the same, the fact that the effects of electric shock can cause late neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms should alarm all ER physicians in order to ensure that treatment is provided with immediate effect.

What Is the Reason behind Earth’s Magnetic Field?

Earth’s magnetic field has been a debate since the 13th century when the philosophers noticed lodestones turning north for the first time. Queen Elizabeth’s physician, William Gilbert brought it in the spotlight stating that the globe is a great magnet. Scientists now think that Earth is an electromagnet. They believe the Earth is a source of a magnetic field which is a large electric current of billions of amperes. It is said to be in the core fluid of the Earth.

This believed magnetic field in the core of the Earth has been questioning the scientist minds since forever. Nobody has ever developed an urge to go for the mythical journey and figure out the real science. No one has ever taken the journey to the center of the Earth and has been able to evaluate the physics behind this.

Shockwave Study

By studying the shockwaves of earthquakes that travel throughout the planet, scientists have been able to lightly describe its structure. In the center of the Earth, there is a hard inner core that is supposed to be two-thirds of the Moon’s size. This core is completely composed up of iron. At 57,000 C hellish, this core iron becomes as hot as the surface of the Sun. When it reaches such a point, the pressure of crushing caused by gravity helps to prevent it from turning into liquid.

Inner Core Behavior

The center core has got a thick layer of 2,000 km of nickel, iron and other quantities of metals. The metal in the inner core is present in the fluid form. The difference in temperature, composition, and pressure of the outer core ignites convection currents and the molten metal becomes cool, the dense matter becomes warm and furthermore, the less dense matter comes above. Coriolis force due to which the Earth is able to spin is also responsible for swirling whirlpools.

The flow of the liquid iron is responsible for generating electric currents that in return produce magnetic fields. The charged metals that pass through these fields make the electric current on their own and continue the cycle. This self-sustaining loop cycle is known as geodynamo.

Overall, the spiraling occurring through the Coriolis force means that there are separate fields created which roughly align in one direction. The combined effect of these fields keeps on adding up and makes up an entirely large magnetic field that engulfs the planet.

The past studies reveal this concept about the Earth’s magnetic field. The history plays an important role in bringing the topic to the table. Even after the variations, the magnetic field has been losing its energy and cannot possibly be more than 10,000 years old. Now, the Earth’s magnetic field is no longer a history.

AC vs DC Current

An alternating current (AC) is a type of electricity current which works by occasionally reversing direction of movement of current flow. In most households, AC is mainly used. AC is mainly regulated to work between 50-60 hertz.

Direct current (DC) is a type of an electric current whereby electric charges moves in a unidirectional manner. The general direction of movement of current remains the same at all times but the current intensity may vary with change in time.

Differences between Alternating current and Direct current.

Production.

Alternating current can be generated by use of a device known as alternator. A twisted wire is rolled inside a magnetic field which in turn prompts current.

Direct current may be produced by use of alternating current generator. In order to do this, the generator is equipped with a device known as commutator. Other means may be by use of devices like rectifier or use of batteries. Direct current in batteries is generated as a result of chemical reaction in the battery. Direct current on the other hand is generally defined as the one whereby current flows in only one direction.

Applications.

Direct current used in most electronic devices like mobile phones, and tv.

Alternating current on the other hand is mainly used by large electrical appliances like refrigerators.

Pros and cons of ac and dc.

DC

DC reduces the amount of resistance in the line. It has no frequency and therefore DC connections do not require synchronization. It requires only two conductors and it has no inductance which may result from voltage drop in the system.

However, DC has some disadvantages. The major one is that it is not easy to transform its voltage up and down and vice versa.

AC

Alternating current is efficiently transmitted over long distances. Most of the devices actually are plugged with an AC outlet. However, they transform it to DC.

However, AC current is not direct and cannot be used by appliances which require a reliable and consistent power supply.

One of the applications of alternating current involves decreasing/lowering down the voltage for use by electrical appliances and for domestic usage.

Direct current is mainly used by appliances powered by batteries. These devices use inverters to convert AC current into DC since most appliances use direct current due to its stability in current flow.

In conclusion, both AC and DC type of current flow have variety of uses and applications. It all depends with the type of appliance ranging from big machinery to small home devices.