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The diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 3
The diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth. The mantle is hotter near the core than near the crust. (i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 2
Explain how this temperature difference causes the tectonic plates in the Earth’s crust to move
Answer
The temperature difference between the hotter mantle near the core and the cooler crust leads to convection currents within the Earth.
- Hot material from the mantle rises towards the crust, while colder material falls back down. This continual cycle of rising and sinking material creates convection currents.
- As the hot material rises, it causes the overlying tectonic plates to move sideways due to the uneven heating of the mantle beneath them.
- These movements can result in tectonic plates shifting, leading to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity.