Question

Which of the following describes electric current in the ocean?

Electric currents are possible in the ocean because salt water is an insulator.

Electric fields cause electric currents in the ocean.

Electric currents exist in the ocean but electric fields do not.

Electric fields and currents in the ocean are very strong.

Answer 1

Electric fields cause electric currents in the ocean.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of charge.

It is given by the equation

`i = (dq)/(dt)`

so here we know that charge will always flow from higher potential to lower potential or we can say that charge will move through a region of potential gradient.

Now when this potential gradient is exist then there must be some electric field in the medium as we know that

`E = - (dV)/(dr)`

so when electric current flows through a medium then there exist some electric field in it.

Answer 2

Electric fields cause electric currents in the ocean. When electromagnetic fields are induced in the conducting oceans and Earth, Ionospheric and Magnetospheric electric current systems flow above the surface of the ocean and by the action of moving sea water.