Question

why do rocks on the ocean floor form a pattern of magnetized stripes?
the rocks contain iron that points in the direction the rocks move away from the ridge.
the rocks are composed of different materials depending on when they formed.
the rocks change shapes as a result of the pushing and pulling of seafloor spreading.
the rocks contain iron that points in different directions depending on earths polarity.

Explanation:

As new ocean floor rock forms at mid-ocean ridges, iron-rich minerals in the rock align with Earth's magnetic field at the time of formation. Earth's magnetic polarity reverses periodically, so successive rock layers (pushed away from the ridge) have iron aligned in opposite directions, creating the striped pattern.

Answer:

The rocks contain iron that points in different directions depending on Earth's polarity.