Earth's Structure and Plate Tectonics

The figure shows part of what scientists think is happening in Earth’s mantle.

What process does the figure show occurring in the mantle?

• Hot rock expands, becomes less dense, and rises toward the surface of Earth.

• Hot rock expands, becomes more dense, and rises toward the surface of Earth.

• Hot rock becomes less dense and moves towards the outer core.

• Hot rock becomes more dense and moves towards the lithosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Earth’s temperature increases with depth. Which of the following is a result of the motion of materials caused by high temperatures in Earth’s mantle?

• earthquakes and volcanoes

• radioactive atoms in minerals

• ocean tides

• erosion and deposition

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Evelyn is making a model of Earth to show how the physical layers correspond to the compositional

layers. Which of the following should Evelyn show in her model?

• The physical layers exactly match the compositional layers.

• The crust is the only compositional layer not included in the physical layers.

• The physical layers of the inner core and outer core form a single compositional layer.

• The physical layer of the asthenosphere includes the compositional layer of the crust.

Earth’s physical layers correspond to Earth’s compositional layers. Which part of the mantle is also part

of the lithosphere?

• the fluid, hot part

• the rigid upper part

• the soft moving part

• the lower stationary part

Mount Everest formed when two tectonic plates collided. Which of the following processes lead to the

formation of Mount Everest?

• eriosion

• substidence

• pushed up or uplift

• weathering

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Basalt forms when lava cools on Earth’s surface. Granite forms when magma cools within the Earth. Which of these statements correctly classifies both basalt and granite?

• Basalt and granite are both igneous rocks.

• Basalt and granite are both metamorphic rocks.

• Basalt is igneous rock, and granite is metamorphic rock.

• Basalt is metamorphic rock, and granite is igneous rock.

A geologist is studying three layers of sedimentary rock in an area. The layers have not shifted from their original positions. The geologist records the relative ages of the rocks. The bottom layer is listed as the oldest. The top layer is listed as the youngest. What did the geologist use to determine the relative ages of the rocks?

• mineral content

• radioactive decay

• the law of superposition

• the principle of unconformity

Lina is studying different isotopes. She drew the diagram below to show a relationship between carbon-14 and nitrogen-14.

What is the correct process shown above?

• absolute decay

• radioactive decay

• relative dating

• unconformity

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Fossils of the same plants and animal species have been found on continents that are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Which of the following statements does this observation support?

• These animals and plants crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

• The Atlantic Ocean was once a large body of freshwater.

• The continents that are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean once formed a single landmass.

• The continents that are now separated by the Atlantic Ocean have the same kinds of organisms today as they did millions of years ago.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The figure shows a process that takes place on the ocean floor.

Which of the following is most likely to result from the process shown in this figure?

• petrification

• trace fossil formation

• continents moving

• glacial melting

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3