Convection Currents and Tectonic Plates

What is the main cause of convection currents in the Earth's mantle?

• The rotation of the Earth

• Differences in temperature and density within the mantle

• The gravitational pull of the Moon

• The movement of the oceans

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which type of material in the mantle rises toward the Earth's surface?

• Cooler, denser material

• Hotter, less dense material

• Solid rock only

• Water vapor

What happens to mantle material as it cools?

• It becomes less dense and rises

• It becomes more dense and sinks

• It evaporates

• It turns into magma

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Which of the following best describes a convection current?

• The movement of air in the atmosphere

• The circular movement of material caused by differences in temperature and density

• The flow of water in rivers

• The spinning of the Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

At which type of plate boundary do tectonic plates move away from each other due to convection currents?

• Convergent boundary

• Divergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Subduction zone

Why do tectonic plates move on the Earth's surface?

• Because of wind currents

• Because of convection currents in the mantle

• Because of ocean tides

• Because of sunlight

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which statement correctly explains why cooler mantle material sinks?

• It is less dense than the surrounding material

• It is more dense than the surrounding material

• It is heated by the core

• It is pushed by the plates

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A diagram shows two tectonic plates moving toward each other. Which type of boundary is this, and what is happening to the mantle material below?

• Divergent boundary; mantle material is rising

• Convergent boundary; mantle material is sinking

• Transform boundary; mantle material is stationary

• Divergent boundary; mantle material is sinking

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Predict what would happen to the movement of tectonic plates if the temperature difference in the mantle decreased significantly.

• Plate movement would increase

• Plate movement would stop or slow down

• Plate movement would reverse direction

• Plate movement would not change

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

Examine a diagram showing both rising and sinking mantle material. How does the density of the material relate to its movement, and what effect does this have on the plates above?

• Less dense material sinks, causing plates to move together

• More dense material rises, causing plates to move apart

• Less dense material rises, pushing plates apart; more dense material sinks, pulling plates together

• Density has no effect on plate movement

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1