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A continuous flow in the mantle caused by differences in density

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Convection currents in the mantle, caused by heat from Earth's core, drive the motion of lithospheric plates. As the mantle heats up, it becomes less dense, rises, and then cools and becomes denser, causing it to sink. This continuous cycle of warm, rising material and cool, sinking material creates convection currents that move the lithospheric plates above them.

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Q: Which describes the convection currents that drive the motion of lithospheric plates?
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How do cells appear when convection currents are causing their motion?

Cells may appear to move unpredictably or in a swirling pattern due to convection currents. This movement is caused by changes in temperature or density that create fluid motion within the cell culture. Convection currents can impact cell-to-cell communication and nutrient distribution within the culture.


What describes the circular motion of heat below the earth's surface?

Convection currents are responsible for the circular motion of heat below the Earth's surface. These currents occur in the mantle, where hot material rises, cools as it moves away from the heat source, and then sinks back down, creating a cycle of movement. This process is a key factor in plate tectonics and the movement of Earth's lithosphere.


Surface currents are set in motion by the?

Surface currents are set in motion by a combination of factors such as wind, the Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect), and differences in water density due to temperature and salinity variations. These factors create a complex system of ocean currents that circulate water around the globe.


Why are Earth's continental plates continually in motion?

Earth's continental plates are in motion due to the movement of molten rock in the Earth's mantle. This movement, known as mantle convection, transfers heat and creates the forces that push and pull the plates in different directions, causing them to move across the surface of the Earth. The continuous motion of the plates is driven by the Earth's internal heat and the resulting convection currents in the mantle.


What occurs as result of convection currents?

Convection currents occur when heated material rises and cooler material sinks, creating a circular motion. This process transfers heat and helps distribute it throughout the fluid or gas. In the Earth's mantle, convection currents drive plate tectonics, causing continents to drift and leading to geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.