After figuring out just how hot the core of the Earth is, we thought that this heat would help us figure out the cause behind the movement of the earth's plates. We also figured that NOW would be a good time to develop a physical model, especially since we already know so much about thermal energy transfer from our cups unit.
Building out a physical model was tough. We don't have anything to resemble molten rock in our classroom, and getting a whole bunch of putty (similar to molten rock) would be expensive. We settled on water and are cognizant of its limitations (but we're okay with that! We also realize that using any heat source available to us at school is a very small fraction of the amount of energy coming from the earth's core, but we're okay with that, too!
So using some tubs of water, some mugs of hot water under them, and some food coloring, we created this model of the core and mantle of the Earth!
Building out a physical model was tough. We don't have anything to resemble molten rock in our classroom, and getting a whole bunch of putty (similar to molten rock) would be expensive. We settled on water and are cognizant of its limitations (but we're okay with that! We also realize that using any heat source available to us at school is a very small fraction of the amount of energy coming from the earth's core, but we're okay with that, too!
So using some tubs of water, some mugs of hot water under them, and some food coloring, we created this model of the core and mantle of the Earth!
Because of the limitations of the model, we set out to find a "better" one, one where there was actually some of the Earth's crust evidence, a "thicker" mantle, and a greater energy source! We found something! (Heating oil with parsley on top!)
From both of these models, we're able to see the same energy transfer from heat through the matter in the mantle. This process we are calling convection...and from the top and side views, we are starting to see how this can affect plate movement on top of the mantle! We built out a model and are truly starting to see how convection currents cause plates to come apart, move towards each other, or differ in speed and direction. Now can we use this model to explain what is happening at Mt. Everest?!?!
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