(For G10)

SCIENCE 10
QUARTER 1 MODULE 4 WEEK 4
MODULE 2: PLATE BOUNDARIES

Learning Competency

Describe the different types of plate boundaries (S10ES – Ia-j-36.2)

Day 1: Types of Plate Boundaries

Objective

At the end of the module, the learner should be able to:

 identify and describe the different types of plate boundaries.

Introduction
Various processes taking place since the formation of Earth until today have produced
significant changes in the planet’s structure and composition. Earth has an outermost layer
composed of semi-rigid plates that are actively moving. They are like puzzle pieces that fit
together, and the zone between these plates are sites of significant seismological activities on the
planet.
Movements of Earth’s crust bring significant effect on the lithospheric structures. The
landforms we see today serve as clues on how this ever-changing planet works. Knowing the
processes on how the planet is changing its physical form helps us to understand the Earth’s
natural cycle and behavior. Also, knowing the changes help us be more prepared for its effects.

Let’s Recall
DIRECTIONS: Encircle the words in the puzzle that are related to plate boundaries. Cut the
puzzle and attach it to a separate sheet of paper.
F Q K C G J R W J D
H S B O U N D A R Y
I G S N W F X Z V N
R D I V E R G E N T
J E G E E H A G J E
O S J R C A W F G A
D D G G P L A T E G
G F P E D D A G Q S
T R A N S F O R M F
K D W T A S F E Q S
 Let’s Understand

Plate boundaries are found at the edge of the

lithospheric plates and are of three
types, convergent, divergent, and transform.
Wide zones of deformation are usually
characteristic of plate boundaries because of the
interaction between two plates. The three
boundaries are characterized by their distinct
motions.

TYPES OF PLATE BOUNDARIES

 Divergent boundaries are a zone in the Earth’s https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Learning/Scienc
crust where the plates move away from each e-Topics/Earthquakes/Earthquakes-at-a-
other. Plate-Boundary/Tectonic-Plates-and-Plate-
 Convergent boundaries are areas where Boundaries
tectonic plates move towards each other.
 Along transform plate boundaries or transform Figure 1. Tectonic plates
faults, plates slide past one another in a horizontal
motion parallel to the plate boundary separating
the two plates.

Let’s Apply
DIRECTIONS: Read each statement carefully. Identify what is being asked on each statement.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

_____ 1. These are the zones where plates are moving away from each other.
_____ 2. These are boundaries where lithospheric plates slide past one another in a horizontal
motion.
_____ 3. These are areas found at the edge of lithospheric plates which can either move towards,
away, or slide past each other.
_____ 4. These are the zones where plates are moving towards each other.
_____ 5. How many types of plate boundaries the Earth has?

Let’s Analyze
DIRECTIONS: Read the question below. Answer the question in 2-3 sentences. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What are the possible effects of the activities in the plate boundaries to our daily lives?

2. How do the geologists identify the three (3) types of plate boundaries?

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 Day 2: Plate Boundaries and Lithospheric Plates
Objective

At the end of the module, the learner should be able to:

 identify the plate boundary associated with each major lithospheric plate.

Let’s Recall
DIRECTIONS: Read each statement carefully. Supply the missing letters on the blank to
complete the word. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. A type of plate boundary where the plates are moving towards each other.
C __ __ V __ __ __ E __ T
2. A boundary where the lithospheric plates slide past each other horizontally.
__ R __ __ S __ O __ M
3. A zone where the plates are moving away from each other.
__ I __ __ R __ __ N __
4. It is the area where two plates meet.
P __ __ T __ __ O __ __ D __ R __ __ __

Let’s Understand
The zone where two plates meet – either moving away, towards, or slide past each other – is
called “plate boundaries”. Plate boundaries have different types. Each type of plate boundaries
are seen in different major lithospheric plates.
Lithospheric plates move in different directions every year. The approximate movement of
each plate on Earth is 1 – 10 cm/year. Thus, each plate interacts with one another. (see Figure 2)

http://www.geologyin.com/2019/06/what-jumpstarted-earths-plate-tectonics.html
Figure 2. Tectonic plates and its boundaries

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 Let’s Apply
DIRECTIONS: Use figure 2 to identify the type of plate boundary that exists between each
of the two plates below. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Pacific Plate and Nazca Plate: ____________________
2. Australian Plate and Pacific Plate: ____________________
3. Antarctic Plate and African Plate: ____________________
4. Eurasian Plate and African Plate: ____________________
5. Nazca Plate and South American Plate: ____________________

Let’s Analyze
DIRECTIONS: Read the question below. Answer the question in 2-3 sentences. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Does each tectonic plate move? Prove your answer.
2. What is the importance of being aware about the movement of plates?

Day 3: Movement of Plate Boundaries

Objective

At the end of the module, the learner should be able to:

 Describe the movement in each type of plate boundary

Let’s Recall
DIRECTIONS: Give two (2) possible pairs of plates that belong to each type of boundaries. Write
your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

CONVERGENT BOUNDARY DIVERGENT BOUNDARY TRANSFORM BOUNDARY

1. ___________________ 1. ___________________ 1. ___________________
2. ___________________ 2. ___________________ 2. ___________________

Let’s Understand

Divergent boundaries are a zone in the

Earth’s crust where the plates move away from
each other. It is also known as the spreading
centers. It is where the continents split apart and
form new continental margins containing precious
resources of salt, natural gas, and petroleum.
(see Figure 3)

Quipper Limited (2018). Plate

Boundaries (Unit 2., p. 6)

Figure 3. Divergent Boudary

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 Convergent boundaries are areas where
tectonic plates move towards each other. Along
convergent plate boundaries within the oceanic
lithosphere, portions of oceanic crust descend into
the mantle at a rate equal to the production of new
seafloor along divergent plate boundaries. (see
Figure 4)

Quipper Limited (2018). Plate

Boundaries (Unit 2., pp.12-16)

Figure 4. Convergent Boundary

Along transform plate boundaries or

transform faults, plates slide past one another in a
horizontal motion parallel to the plate boundary
separating the two plates. These boundaries
connect the other plate boundaries,
accommodating the opposite movements of the
plates on each side of the transform. (see Figure 5)
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/plate-
tectonics-transform-plate-boundaries.htm

Figure 5. Transform Boundary

Let’s Apply

OREO TECTONICS
Materials:
 Three (3) pieces biscuits/cookies

Procedures:
1. Break the upper cookie in half. (see Figure 6)
2. Push down the two upper broken cookie halves and
slide them apart. Notice what will happen on the creamy
filling.
3. Take another cookie. Break the upper cookie in half.
Then, push the two upper broken cookie halves towards
each other. Notice what will happen on the creamy filling. http://dusk.geo.orst.edu/oceans/Oreo-
Cookie.pdf

Figure 5. Transform Boundary

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4. Lastly, take the last cookie. Break the upper cookie in half. This time, push the two upper
broken cookie halves laterally (horizontally) past one another. Notice what will happen.

Guide Questions:
DIRECTIONS: Read the question below. Answer the question in 2-3 sentences. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What does the breaking of the upper cookie in half represent?

2. What happens to the creamy filling as you move the upper cookie halves away?
3. What happens to the creamy filling as you move the upper cookie halves towards each other?
4. What happens to the two upper cookie halves as you move it laterally?
5. What do these movements of upper cookie halves represent?

Let’s Analyze
DIRECTIONS: Read the question below. Answer the question in 2-3 sentences. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Why do areas near transform faults experience earthquakes instead of volcanism?

2. What are the possible effects of the activities in the convergent zone to our daily lives?

3. What are the effects of the movement of divergent boundaries on the oceanic crust?

Day 4: Type of Stress on Plate Boundaries

Objective

At the end of the module, the learner should be able to:

 relate each type of plate with the stress on rocks.

Let’s Recall
DIRECTIONS: Identify the type of boundary on each number. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. _________________ 2. _________________ 3. _________________

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 Let’s Understand

Stress is the force applied to an object. In geology, stress is the force per unit area that is
placed on a rock. Three types of stresses may act on materials.

A deeply buried rock is pushed down by the weight of all the material above it. Since the
rock cannot move, it cannot deform. This is called confining stress.

Causes and Types of Stress

 Compression squeezes rocks together, causing rocks to fold or fracture (break). Compression is
the most common stress at convergent plate boundaries. (see Figure 6)

 Rocks that are pulled apart are under tension. Rocks under tension lengthen or break apart.
Tension is the major type of stress at divergent plate boundaries. (see Figure 7)

 When forces are parallel but moving in opposite directions, the stress is called shear. Shear
stress is the most common stress at transform plate boundaries. (see Figure 8)

https://www.ck12.org/section/stress-in-earth%e2%80%99s-crust/

Figure 6. Compressional Figure 7. Tensional Figure 8. Shear stress on

stress on rocks stress on rocks rocks

Let’s Try
DIRECTIONS: Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter of your answer. Write the letter
of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
_____ 1. These are found at the edge of the lithospheric plate.
A. Lithospheric Plates C. Plate Tectonics
B. Plate Boundaries D. Tectonic Plates
_____ 2. It is a type of boundary whose plates slide past one another in a horizontal motion.
A. Convergent Boundary C. Plate Boundary
B. Divergent Boundary D. Transform Boundary

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_____ 3. It is the stress experienced due to squeezing of rocks together, causing the rock to fold
or fracture.
A. Compression C. Tension
B. Folding D. Shear
_____ 4. It is a boundary where the plates move away from one another causing the rock to
experience tension.
A. Convergent Boundary C. Plate Boundary
B. Divergent Boundary D. Transform Boundary
_____ 5. It is a force applied per unit area that is placed on a rock causing it to break.
A. Faulting C. Strain
B. Folding D. Stress

Let’s Create

DIRECTIONS: Create an infographics/poster about the different plate boundaries. Make your
infographics in a short bond paper, you may use pencil, marker, any coloring materials, etc. in
creating your infographics/poster. Your infographics/poster will be graded according to the
following rubrics:

RUBRIC:
CRITERIA 1-5 points 6-10 points 11-15 points 16-20 points
CONTENT No details to Few details Most details Appropriate
support main support main support main details support
idea idea idea main idea

Information is Lacking Accurate Accurate and

not accurate accurate information for detailed
information almost all information
subject matter
Information does Inadequate Information
not support the information is Information is adequately
visual’s purpose not clearly mostly adequate supports
supportive of and supportive purpose of

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 visual’s purpose of visual’s visual
purpose
VISUAL Little attempt to Inappropriate Adequate use of Outstanding use
APPEAL use color, use of color, color, design, of color, design,
design and design, and and space and space
space space
appropriately Design is Original and
Design lacks adequate creative design
Design is dull creativity
Overall design is Overall design is
Project has Lack of mostly pleasing pleasing and
sloppy harmonious and harmonious harmonious
appearance design in
presentation
MECHANICS Too frequent Frequent Mostly free of Free of
grammatical grammatical grammatical grammatical
errors errors errors errors

Distractive Presentation is Most words are Words are

elements make illegible and legible and legible and
illustration confusing pertinent to topic pertinent to topic
ineffective

REFERENCES:
Lilie, R. J. (n.d.). Oreo Cookies and Plate Tectonics. Retrieved from
http://www.geoproeven.nl/cms/wp-content/uploads/oreo_cookie_plate_tectonics_kids.pdf

Plate Tectonics and Our National Parks. (February 11, 2020). Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nps.gov%2Fsubjects%2Fgeology%
2Fplate-tectonics-transform-plate-boundaries.htm&psig=AOvVaw332KgRL-
PzEWUhO9CfHeUG&ust=1588510627801000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoT
CKix36KclekCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Quipper Limited (2018). Plate Boundaries (Unit 2., pp.3-38)