🌍 Part 1: Understanding Plate Boundaries

1. Which type of plate boundary occurs when two plates move away from each other?

Convergent boundary

Divergent boundary

Transform boundary

Subduction zone

2. What drives the movement of tectonic plates?

Ocean currents

Wind patterns

Mantle convection currents

Gravitational pull from the moon

3. Which geological events are most likely to occur at convergent plate boundaries? (Check all that apply)

Volcanic eruptions

Earthquakes

Mountain formation

Ocean trenches

4. The Ring of Fire is an area with many volcanoes and earthquakes. This pattern occurs because:

It's near the equator

It follows major plate boundaries around the Pacific Ocean

It has the deepest ocean trenches

It receives the most solar energy

🔬 Part 2: Analyzing Models and Data

5. Describe how mantle convection currents cause plate movement. Use the terms "hot," "cold," "rise," and "sink" in your explanation.

6. A scientist finds data showing frequent earthquakes along a straight line where two plates slide past each other horizontally. What type of plate boundary is this? Explain your reasoning.

7. Complete the following statement about scientific models:

Models are useful in science because they help us _____________ complex processes that we cannot directly observe. However, all models have _____________ because they are simplified versions of reality.

8. If you were predicting where a new volcano might form, what type of data would you analyze? List at least three types of evidence.

🎨 Part 3: Model Creation

9. In the space below, draw a simple model showing mantle convection currents and how they move tectonic plates. Label the following: hot mantle material, cold mantle material, tectonic plates, and direction of movement.

10. Explain one strength and one limitation of the model you drew above.

Strength: ________________________________

Limitation: ______________________________