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1. Using latitude and longitude coordinates provided by the teacher, find the vector to be used as the starting point where the ship first sent a distress call. Based on the color of the vector, determine the speed (km/hour) of the surface currents at this location by comparing the color to the velocity scale to the right of the map.
 
2. Use the map scale (km) to determine the distance between the starting point (the non-arrowed end) of the selected vector and the selected end point. The end point is determined by drawing a straight line from the vector (in the direction it is pointing) until you hit land, or you reach the edge of the map (if the vector is pointing away from land).
3. Use the formula Time = Distance x Rate (or velocity), calculate the amount of time it would take for the ship to reach the selected end point. Do you predict that the ship will travel in a straight line to the end point? If not, why? Think back to the beginning of the unit when you hypothesized about the forces that would affect the motion of a drifting boat. Was the speed and direction of the wind one of your factors? You may wish to check the real-time wind speed and direction of the wind from the Meteorological Tower at the Rutgers Marine Field Station (http://www.thecoolroom.org/boaters/boat_met.htm) to see how the wind might affect the movement of the currents.
4. Check the real-time CODAR data over the next two-three days (or for as long as the amount of time you calculated in Step 5). Answer the corresponding question on the Adrift Activity Sheet. |
