Question

understanding convection currents
which statement accurately describes the movement of earth’s plates due to convection currents?
○ material near the core cools as heat is transferred toward the crust.
○ heated materials become denser, causing them to rise toward the surface.
○ as heated material gets closer to the surface, it begins to cool.
○ as materials cool, they become less dense and sink back toward the core.

Explanation:

• Option A is incorrect: Material near the core is heated, not cooled, as heat moves outward from the core.
• Option B is incorrect: Heated materials become less dense, which causes them to rise, not more dense.
• Option D is incorrect: As materials cool, they become more dense, which makes them sink back toward the core, not less dense.
• Option C is correct: When heated mantle material rises toward the cooler crust, it loses heat and begins to cool, which drives the convection cycle.

Answer:

C. As heated material gets closer to the surface, it begins to cool.