Unit 7 - WSA: Lessons 1-3

Identify the layer where convection currents occur that affect tectonic activity.

• Crust

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Core

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Earth's tectonic plates move on the Earth's surface.  Scientists believe forces under the Earth's surface cause this movement.  Which of the following BEST explains the cause of this movement? 

• The core is a hot, dense ball of (mostly) iron.  Heat is transferred by conduction to the plates and it is the cause of plate movement.

• Radiation from the Sun heats up the surface of the Earth, causing the plates to move.

• Convection currents within the Earth are the driving force behind plate movement.

• The core is boiling liquid material.  The gases created by this boiling action cause the plates to move.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Examine the diagram and answer the question that follows.

Which research question is demonstrated by this experiment?

• What physical process creates new soil?

• What chemical process creates a reaction?

• What internal force drives tectonic motion?

• What external force causes a river to flood?

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Which of the following describes the middle layers of the Earth?

• The middle layers are in constant motion.

• The middle layers are what heat Earth's atmosphere.

• The middle layers create the movement of the Earth's surface.

• The middle layers cool the oceans allowing them to remain at a constant temperature.

• The middle layers cause arctic landforms like icebergs to melt.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

What is the name of the original supercontinent that scientist believe was separated due to Earth's tectonic plates? 

• Eurasia

• Pangaea

• Mesozoic

• Greater Andria

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

For the evidence below, determine if is evidence that helped lead Alfred Wegener to propose his theory of continental drift or if it is evidence that was discovered later.

ONLY MARK EVIDENCE THAT HELPED ALFRED WEGENER PROPOSE HIS THEORY

• rigid lithospheric plates moving slowly over the underlying mantle

• similar rock structure in neighboring continents separated by oceans

• same fossils being found on the coast of South America and Africa

• plate movement along the sea floor allowing for magma to rise and cool forming new igneous rock

• geographic outline of continents shaped to fit with other geographic outlines of a neighboring continent

Two scientists are debating theories on how the Earth's surface has formed.  Scientist A argues that the correct theory is Permanentism.  Scientist B argues that Continental Drift is the correct theory.  Scientist B believes that the Earth's plates _______.  Scientist A believes that the Earth's plates _______.

• move and stop periodically with varying speeds; move gradually at all times

• move gradually at all times; move quickly at first and stop after

• move quickly at all times; move gradually at all times

• move quickly first and stop after; move and stop periodically at varying speeds

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

The diagram shows the break-up of Earth’s "supercontinent". What was the name of the original theory stating all continents were once a single massive landmass?

• Continental Drift Theory

• Evolutionary Theory

• Theory of Convection Currents

• Theory of Pangaea

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What is the claim of the Continental Drift Theory?

• Continents drifted and moved away from the original continent more than 400 million years ago.

• The continents first moved quickly due to extreme heat flowing in the Earth’s crust; however, now the plates are no longer moving or shifting.

• The supercontinent broke up into smaller pieces. Over long periods of time these smaller pieces of land have drifted to their current locations.

• Over time the ocean waters created cracks in the earth’s surface separating the giant landmass, thus allowing the Earth to evolve into what it looks like today.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of the following landforms were created due to constant erosion over millions of years that may explain why fossils of water creatures can now be found in their strata?

• the Mariana Trench

• the Rocky Mountains

• the Grand Canyon

• Mount Saint Helens

• the Cliffs of Dover

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2