Question

analyzing the effect of temperature and density on earth
earth’s lithosphere is made of slabs called plates. the movement within earth’s interior causes plates to move. how the plates behave affects the shape of earth’s crust.
which statement describes the movement of plates 1 and 2?

• they are moving toward each other

they are rubbing past each other.
they are moving away from each other.
they are rising and sinking.

Explanation:

To determine the plate movement, we analyze the diagram: the mantle convection currents (red arrows) are rising between Plate 1 and Plate 2, which pushes the plates apart. When mantle material rises, it creates a divergent boundary where plates move away from each other. The other options don’t match: moving toward each other (convergent) would have a different current pattern, rubbing past (transform) involves horizontal sliding, and rising/sinking isn’t typical plate - movement terminology for this context.

Answer:

They are moving away from each other.