Question

For these ocean currents in the South Atlantic, which of these currents is most likely to be a warm current?

A map of the South Atlantic Ocean shows four currents moving counterclockwise. Currents are numbered as follows, moving counterclockwise:

1. Along the east coast of northern South America.
2. Across the Atlantic.
3. Along the west coast of southern Africa.
4. Back across the Atlantic to 1.

Options:
a. Both 1 and 3
b. Both 2 and 4
c. 1
d. 3

Answer 1

Current 1 along the east coast of northern South America is most likely to be a warm ocean current since it flows northward from the equator, where waters are warmed.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which of the currents in the South Atlantic is most likely to be a warm current, we need to understand how ocean currents generally work. Warm ocean currents originate near the equator, where the waters are heated by the sun, and flow toward higher latitudes. Cool currents come from higher latitudes and flow back toward the equator.

Considering the map with currents moving counterclockwise in the South Atlantic:
Current 1 is along the east coast of northern South America, flowing northward from the equator, and is likely a warm current due to its proximity to the equatorial region where waters are warmed. Current 3, which flows along the west coast of southern Africa and moves toward the equator, is potentially cooler since it originates further away from the equator.

Based on this information, Current 1 is most likely to be the warm current. It is comparable to well-known warm currents such as the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, which significantly affects the climate of Western Europe and warms the waters due to its origin in the warmer regions.