Plate Motion Simulation: Analyzing Distance and Time in Geology

The video tutorial guides students through an Amplify simulation to collect and analyze data on plate motion. It begins with setting up the simulation and collecting data on time and distance. Students are instructed to place markers on the plate boundary, run the simulation, and record the distance traveled over time. The tutorial then explains how to calculate the rate of plate movement by dividing the distance by time, encouraging the use of a calculator for accuracy. The process is repeated until four data points are collected, and the rate is calculated for each.

What is the first step to access the plate motion simulation in Amplify?

• Calculate the rate of plate movement

• Set the boundary markers

• Click on the hamburgers on the left

• Open the plate motion notebook to page 7

Where should you place the markers in the simulation?

• On the left side of the screen

• On either side of the plate boundary

• At the center of the plate

• At the top of the screen

What type of boundary should be set for the simulation?

• Static boundary

• Convergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Divergent boundary

How is the distance between markers measured in the simulation?

• In miles

• In feet

• In kilometers

• In meters

What is the time unit used for recording the simulation data?

• Hours

• Days

• Million years

• Years

How do you calculate the rate of plate movement?

• Subtract years from kilometers

• Multiply kilometers by years

• Divide kilometers by years

• Add kilometers and years

What is the calculated rate of plate movement in the example given?

• 11.32 kilometers per million years

• 13.32 kilometers per million years

• 10.5 kilometers per million years

• 12.5 kilometers per million years

How many data points should be collected before calculating the rate?

• Three

• Five

• Two

• Four

What tool is recommended for calculating the rate of plate movement?

• A calculator

• A compass

• A ruler

• A protractor