Name: Kyra Cooperman Date: 2/19/14 Section: B Lab Partner: Danny Laks

Modeling the Affect of Mantle Currents on Tectonic Plates

Purpose: To learn how convection currents in the mantle effect the movement of plate tectonics. Hypothesis: If the effect of convection currents on plate tectonics is tested by using hot water as convection currents and paper as plate tectonics, then the outcome will be that the paper moves away from their starting position because the convection currents, or hot water, are one of the forces that moved the plate tectonics from being connected as Pangaea to their current state. Materials: Large plastic container Small glass beaker Hole puncher Hot water Cold water Food coloring Paper Aluminum foil Rubber band Ruler Sharp Pencil Spoon
Procedure: 1. Fill the large container halfway with cold water. 2. Punch about 20 holes in a piece of paper. 3. Put all of the small pieces into the large container. 4. Fill the small beaker with hot water and a few drops of red food coloring. Mix together until the water is consistently red. 5. Cover the small beaker with aluminum foil and secure with a rubber band. 6. Gently place the small beaker into the large container. Once the paper is still, poke two holes in the aluminum foil about 4 cm apart. 7. Observe what happens by measuring the plate movement and record. 8. Repeat steps 1-7 three times.

Results:

Table 1: Qualitative Observations for the Result of Convection Currents on Tectonic Plates Trial Number Trial #1 Observations Some air was stuck inside the beaker, so it did not sink very well. Once the beakers managed to stay down and the holes were poked, two pieces of paper came into the beaker while the rest spread out to the sides of the cup. Because of learning from previous mistakes, there was no air left in the beaker and it sunk within a few seconds. The pieces of paper almost spun to the sides when the hot water mixed with the cold water and the paper moved very quickly. The holes made in the aluminum were slightly bigger than before, which resulted in a quicker reaction. A few of the pieces of paper sunk, while the rest floated to the sides like in the other trials.

Trial #2

Trial #3

Discussion:

The purpose of doing this experiment was to gain a better understanding of convection currents and tectonic plates. The part of my model that represented tectonic plates was the pieces of paper. The large container in my experiment represented Earths mantle. In my model, the hot water flowed and moved around the large container, but the cold water seemed to stay in place. Since the hot water was colored red, it was easy to track its movement. The hot water slowly escaped the beaker and mixed in with the cold water, giving it a lighter, more diluted color. As the hot water flowed out of the beaker, it pushed the model tectonic plates with it. The model tectonic plates separated from their original position in the center to the sides of the container. The movements of the model plates can be described as drifting. Convection, or transfer of heat through a fluid, is what made the fluids move the way that they did. The hot water flowed into the cold water to cool down, and then more hot water flowed out. If this experiment were to be designed differently, then the tectonic plates should be represented by larger pieces of paper so it can be more realistic instead of tiny circles of paper. The entire experiment itself can support the theory of Continental Drift because it shows how convection currents move plate tectonics apart from each other. In the experiment, only a small detail went wrong. The small beaker had air trapped inside and did not sink into the large container. The only way for it to sink was to push and hold it down until the two holes were poked in the top. Besides that one problem, the experiment flowed very smoothly and was very effective in demonstrating the affect of convection currents on tectonic plates. Conclusion: My hypothesis was correct. The results of convection currents on plate tectonics are that the plate tectonics are pushed apart and start to drift. The same process occurred and had the same results with the model materials. This happened in the model and happens in out Earth because the tectonic plates, which almost float on top of convection currents, are forced to move along with the flow. I have completed this assignment in accordance with the Newark Academy honor code.