Question #fcb7e

1 Answer
Sep 17, 2016

Convection currents in the mantle is what causes tectonic plates to move. To add on, choice C.(uneven heating) would be the cause for convection currents happening in the mantle.

Explanation:

The reason why the answer to the question "What causes convection to happen in the mantle?" would be choice C. is because it most closely explains the reason why convection occurs in the mantle.

For instance, convection currents is caused by the very hot material at the deepest part of the mantle rising, then cooling, sinking again and then heating, rising and repeating the cycle over and over.

To add on, choice C. actually makes a lot of sense because the definition for convection itself (according to google) states that convection is "the movement caused within a fluid by the tendency of hotter and therefore less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink under the influence of gravity, which consequently results in transfer of heat."

In conclusion, this is supported by choice C. since uneven heating would explain that there are some parts that are hotter while there are others with less thermal energy which results in convection happening (cold sinks and hot rises).
http://slideplayer.com/slide/8681540/

If you wish to learn about what causes tectonic plate movement here is a link you may access. Hope this helps! :-)

https://socratic.org/questions/how-are-convection-currents-related-to-plate-tectonics#306766