The gulf stream current is deflected by north america, causing the current to change direction. what is this concept called?

The answer to the question is Continental deflection.

The Gulf Stream Current is deflected by North America, causing the current to change direction. This concept is referred as the Continental deflection.
It occurs when a continent deflects the movement of a current (water or air).
Continental deflection can either be:
Defelction by "rotation" and continental position 
--->North Atlantic as an example 

Deflection of equatorial currents by South America 
---> (G. of Mexico, Florida Current) ---> Gulf Stream 

Alright, i'm gonna try to explain this as good as possible. the law of conservation is like a collection overtime. it never changes though. no matter how you change the constituent parts.