Final answer:
The pattern of surface circulation in the oceans is influenced by unequal heating of air masses in the atmosphere and the rotation of the Earth. This leads to the movement of water on the ocean surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pattern of surface circulation in the oceans is influenced by several factors. Unequal heating of large masses of air in the atmosphere causes air movements, which in turn set in motion the flows of water on the ocean surface. This is known as the atmospheric circulation.
The rotation of the Earth also plays a role in shaping the ocean surface circulation patterns through the Coriolis effect. As a result, the heat is more evenly spread over the planet's surface.