Starter quiz
- Sort the following layers of Earth from the outermost to the innermost layer.
- 1⇔crust
- 2⇔mantle
- 3⇔outer core
- 4⇔inner core
- Which layer of Earth is composed mostly of iron and nickel and exists in both solid and liquid forms?
- crust
- mantle
- core ✓
- lithosphere
-
- True or false? The mantle is the thickest layer of Earth.
- True ✓
- False
- Which type of rock often contains fossils or shell fragments?
- 'sedimentary' ✓
- Which of the following properties help geologists determine the age and formation process of rocks?
- colour
- size
- appearance of crystals ✓
- presence of fossils ✓
-
- Which layer of Earth is primarily responsible for its magnetic field?
- crust
- mantle
- core ✓
-
Exit quiz
- Match the following events to their characteristics:
- volcano⇔Occurs at boundaries of tectonic plates, involves eruption of magma. ✓
- earthquake⇔Sudden shaking of the ground caused by movements of tectonic plates. ✓
- What is a tectonic plate?
- A large, solid piece of Earth's crust and uppermost mantle. ✓
- A large, liquid part of Earth's mantle.
- A small, static piece of Earth's crust.
- A thin layer of soil on Earth's surface.
-
- Which of the following theories or concepts explains the movement of continental landmasses?
- continental drift ✓
- oceanic crust
- mantle convection
- seismic activity
-
- Which of the following are the primary sources of evidence supporting the theory of continental drift?
- satellite images
- weather patterns
- fossils and rock formations ✓
- ocean currents
-
- True or false? Tectonic plates only move due to convection currents in the mantle.
- True
- False ✓
- ______ is the force exerted by a sinking tectonic plate as it moves down into the mantle. This process helps drive the movement of tectonic plates.
- 'slab pull' ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Occurrences of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions suggest Earth’s layers are not static but interact with each other.
- Evidence, such as rock formations and fossils, supports the idea that the continents were once all joined up.
- Earth’s crust is broken into pieces known as tectonic plates, which move very, very slowly.
- Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains how tectonic plates move and interact with each other.
- Plate tectonics help scientists better understand and predict changes to Earth’s surface.
Common misconception
Some pupils (and teachers and even textbooks) suggest that plate movement is due solely to convection currents.
Stress that the understanding of what drives of tectonic plate moment is still developing; using demonstrations to reinforce the current understanding of slab pull and ridge push are helpful. Avoid any demos that reinforce ideas the mantle is liquid.
Keywords
Continental drift - A theory that proposed Earth's continents were once one landmass and gradually drifted apart over time.
Continental crust - Parts of Earth's crust that are found below landmasses is referred to as continental crust.
Oceanic crust - Parts of Earth's crust that are found below oceans is referred to as oceanic crust.
Tectonic plate - A tectonic plate consists of Earth's crust and the uppermost mantle that lies beneath it.
Plate tectonics - A theory that explains why continental landmasses move due to tectonic plates.