NAME: ____________________________________ SCORE:

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Class #: Year/Section: Group: Date:

EXPERIMENT 1: PLATES IN MOTION

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS
 Simulate how tectonic forces form tectonic small cardboard box
boundaries. sheets of folder
fine sand

INVESTIGATE
Activity A
1. Cut the box into two half-boxes, making sure that one is shorter than the other.
2. Place the shorter half-box inside the longer one and pour sand inside. Shake the box a bit to level the
sand surface. You are set to begin.
3. Slowly pull the longer box away from the other. Observe what happens.

Activity B
1. Use the sandbox once more.
2. Place the shorter half-box inside the longer one and pour sand inside. Shake the box a bit to level the
sand surface. You are set to begin.
3. Slowly push the shorter box toward the other box. Observe what happens.

Activity C
1. Place the sheets of folder on a flat surface, side by side.
2. Pour the sand along the boundary of the sheets.
3. Now, move the sheets of folder pass each other. What happens?
 DATA
OBSERVATION

ACTIVITY A ___________________________________________
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ACTIVITY B ___________________________________________
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ACTIVITY C ___________________________________________
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ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE

1. How does an understanding of plate tectonics influence our ability to predict and mitigate geological
hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis?

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2. What are some modern technologies and tools that scientists use to study plate tectonics, and how have
these advancements improved our understanding of Earth's dynamic processes?

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GENERALIZE
How does the theory of plate tectonics serve as a unifying framework for understanding Earth's geological
history and the distribution of natural resources?

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