Convection Currents and their Effects

What are convection currents?

• Vertical (up and down) movements of solid rock in the Earth's mantle caused by heat transfer.

• Horizontal (right and left) movements of molten rock in the Earth's core caused by gravitational forces.

• Circular movements of molten rock in the Earth's mantle caused by heat transfer.

• Circular movements of molten rock in the Earth's crust caused by tectonic plates.

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Where does the heat come from needed to create convection currents?

• Heat is generated from chemical reactions in the mantle

• Heat is generated from the inner core

• Heat is generated from the outer core

• Heat is generated from the friction of solid and liquid rocks in the mantle

How do convection currents transfer heat in the asthenosphere?

• The sun heats up the magma through radiation which causes it to rise and sink.

• Hot magma rises and cooler magma sinks due to differences in density.

• The magma touches the inner core of Earth through conduction which heats it up and causes differences in density.

• Cold magma rises and hot magma sinks due to differences in density.

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Where is the MORE dense magma/liquid material found in asthenosphere?

• Towards the bottom of the layer

• Towards the top of the layer

• All of the liquid is the same density no matter what

• We do not have enough information on this process to know

Where is the LESS dense magma/liquid material found in asthenosphere?

• Towards the bottom of the layer

• Towards the top of the layer

• All of the liquid is the same density no matter what

• We do not have enough information on this process to know

What is the role of gravity in convection?

• Gravity has no role in convection.

• Gravity only affects solids in convection.

• Gravity causes convection to stop.

• Gravity causes fluids to circulate in convection.

What is the role of convection currents in the movement of tectonic plates?

• Convection currents pull the tectonic plates and cause their movement.

• Convection currents have no role in the movement of tectonic plates.

• Convection currents push the tectonic plates and cause their movement.

• Convection currents only affect the temperature of the tectonic plates.

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What effects do convection currents have on the crust?

• They cause the crust to move which can result in various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountains.

• They cause the crust to become smoother or more rigid over time.

• They lead to the formation of oceans and discoveries of new never before seen life forms.

• They have no effect on the crust, only the mantle.

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Which is an example of convection happening in the world?

• Cooling off a cup of hot coffee by blowing on it

• Melting of ice cubes in a glass of water

• Lighting a candle wick which causes the wax to melt around it

• Rising of hot water and sinking of cold water in a boiling pot

If two convection currents next to each other are both rotating to the right, how will the crust above them move?

• To the left

• They will separate

• They will come together

• To the right

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