Praxis 5005 Science Subtest course

FREE CHAPTER

Earth layers and plate tectonics

You can solve earth layers and plate tectonics questions without memorizing a wall of jargon. We will model the thinking, practice together, and then work independently.

Key words

subduction

Earth has crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core; moving lithospheric plates interact at boundaries — e.g. Oceanic plate subduction can produce volcanic arcs

earth layers and plate tectonics

Earth has crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core; moving lithospheric plates interact at boundaries — e.g. Oceanic plate subduction can produce volcanic arcs

evidence

Information that supports or challenges an explanation of earth layers and plate tectonics. — e.g. Oceanic plate subduction can produce volcanic arcs

misconception

A believable but incorrect understanding of earth layers and plate tectonics. — e.g. The mantle is mostly solid rock that can flow slowly, not a global ocean of magma

application

Using what you know about earth layers and plate tectonics to solve a new problem. — e.g. Use earthquake and volcano patterns to infer plate boundaries

Remember this

• Earth has crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core; moving lithospheric plates interact at boundaries
• A helpful example: Oceanic plate subduction can produce volcanic arcs
• Avoid this trap: The mantle is mostly solid rock that can flow slowly, not a global ocean of magma

SUBDUCTION: concept first, evidence next, misconception last.