Plate Tectonics Review

Radioactive decay is a heat source deep within Earth. How does this process affect motion within Earth?

• The density of molten rock decreases as it is heated, and this results in the rock being pushed above by material with a greater density.

• The heat radiates in all directions, and this thermal push forces the surrounding material to move away in all directions.

• The volume of the material decreases as it decays, and the surrounding molten rock moves toward the center to fill the void.

• The heat breaks the surrounding rocks, which allows subsurface liquids to move in and slow the movement of the nearby rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Which of the following BEST explains why Earth is tectonically active?

• Earth’s solid surface layer rotates more rapidly than the layers beneath it.

• Areas of Earth’s solid surface layer are under great pressure from ocean water.

• Earth’s solid surface layer sits on a layer of semimolten rock that slowly flows.

• Areas of Earth’s solid surface layer are thicker and so heavier than other areas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which differences in properties of Earth's crust and mantle are MOST responsible for tectonic activity?

• differences in state and density

• differences in color and viscosity

• differences in temperature and color

• differences in temperature and viscosity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Earth’s rotation spins Earth’s liquid metal outer core around its solid metal inner core. How does this phenomenon make life on Earth possible?

• It creates the magnetosphere, which diverts high-energy particles from space away from Earth’s surface.

• It generates enough thermal energy to keep water on Earth liquid, but not so much that the water boils away.

• It generates electrical currents in the atmosphere, which causes lightning to fix atoms of nitrogen into compounds that living things can use.

• It attracts photons and other solar emissions that warm Earth and provide energy for ecosystems.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-5

Which statement describes a principle that scientists have used to learn more about the structure of Earth’s interior?

• Solid materials absorb seismic waves.

• Magnetic fields deflect seismic waves.

• The density of a material affects the speed of a seismic wave.

• The physical state of a material determines the amplitude of a seismic wave.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which part of Earth’s structure is composed of a solid mixture of nickel and iron?

• the inner core

• the outer core

• the lithosphere

• the asthenosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which property of Earth’s interior keeps the innermost part in a solid state?

• relatively low temperature

• extremely high pressure

• high rate of heat flow

• low rate of radioactive decay

Which seismic wave phenomenon, found at structural boundaries, allows scientists to interpret the interior structure of Earth?

• refraction of waves

• generation of new waves

• transformation of transverse waves into longitudinal waves

• transformation of mechanical waves into electromagnetic waves

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

The diagram below shows the direction of plate movement along the mid-ocean ridge. Which set of arrows BEST shows the convection currents associated with the formation of a mid-ocean ridge?

• Upward arrows

• Circular arrows

• Downward arrows

• Opposite circular arrows

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent fault on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The ridge itself forms a mountain chain that runs the length of the ocean floor from north to south. Which BEST describes the location of the youngest rock on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean?

• close to the east side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• close to the west side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• close to the top of the mountains on both sides of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• close to the base of the mountains on both sides of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4