Science

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Scenario Scientists have collected significant amounts of data about waves, currents, and tides on Earth. Some of the collected data can be found in the Venn diagram below.

Based on the evidence, write a scientific description of common cause of waves, currents, and tides on Earth.

WAVES CURRENTS

TIDES

WIND waves caused by friction

between surface and wind—based on speed, time,

and fetch

currents caused by global wind patterns that push water

in the direction of the wind

DISTURBANCES (minor and major such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions)

CORIOLIS EFFECT rotation of Earth causes clockwise currents in the north and counterclockwise currents in the south

SHAPE OF COASTLINE causes water to travel in a certain direction DENSITY VARIATION

caused by temperature

differences and salinity differences

MOON causes “Moon-side” and “far-side” tides

together with the Sun causes “tidal waves”

(NOT tsunamis)

SUN together with the Moon

causes “tidal waves” (NOT tsunamis) together with the

moon, the Sun’s gravity affects the pull of the tides

unequal heating of Earth causes global wind patterns

that cause surface ocean currents and

waves

CAUSES OF WAVES, CURRENTS, AND TIDES

6E3D Waves, Currents, and Tides

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Claim

Evidence

Reasoning

6E3D Waves, Currents, and Tides

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Rebuttal (Optional)

3

6E3D Waves, Currents, and Tides

Rubric for Writing a Scientific Explanation

6E3D Waves, Currents, and Tides

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Points Awarded

2 1 0

Claim Student makes an accurate and complete claim.

Student makes a claim that is inaccurate or incomplete.

Student does not make a claim.

Evidence Student makes use of all pieces of available evidence, uses labels, and addresses variables.

Student provides some pieces of accurate evidence but does not make use of all available evidence.

Student does not provide evidence or only provides inappropriate or vague evidence.

Reasoning Student connects evidence to the claim and uses scientific principles and vocabulary.

Student cites a reason, but it is inaccurate or does not support the claim. Student’s reasoning does not use scientific terminology or uses it inaccurately.

Student does not connect the evidence to the claim.