Question

describing convection and plate tectonics through modeling
your model showed the role of the movement of earth’s mantle in the movement of earth’s plates. use the drop-down menus to describe how your model represented this idea.

which part of plate tectonics do the pieces of paper represent?
which part of plate tectonics does the movement of food coloring represent?
which part of plate tectonics does the candle represent?

Explanation:

1. Paper pieces are thin, rigid, and move atop a substrate, matching Earth's lithospheric plates.
2. Food coloring moves in circular, upward/downward currents in fluid, mirroring mantle convection that drives plate motion.
3. A candle provides heat, which is the energy source for mantle convection (analogous to Earth's core heat).

Answer:

1. Which part of plate tectonics do the pieces of paper represent? Earth's lithospheric (tectonic) plates
2. Which part of plate tectonics does the movement of food coloring represent? Mantle convection currents
3. Which part of plate tectonics does the candle represent? The heat source (Earth's core) that drives convection