Name: _______ Key ___________________ Date: ___________ Class: ___________
Using the diagram above, describe the cycle of Convection Currents in Earth’s mantle. a.
What heats the mantle rock?
The core heats the mantle rock. b.
What happens to the movement of the particles in the mantle rock as it heats up?
Then the particles begin to move faster and spread apart. c.
What happens to the density of the heated mantle rock? And why?
When the mantle rock is heated, the density decreases. d.
At this point, how does the mantle rock move?
The decreased density causes the mantle rock to rise. e.
What happens as the mantle rock moves farther away from the core?
As the mantle rock moves farther from the core towards the crust, it begins to cool. f.
What happens to the movement of the particles at this point?
After the mantle rock begins to cool, the particles move slower. g.
What happens to the density of the mantle rock while it is near the crust? And why?
The density of the mantle rock will increase because it is cooler. h.
As a result of the change in density, what happens to the movement of the mantle rock?
When the density increases the mantle rocks begins to sink. i.
What happens next that causes the cycle to continue?
The mantle rock sinks back towards the core and the cycle restarts.

Describe the cycle of Convection Currents in Earth’s mantle.
Essay Question Answer:
The core heats the mantle rock. Then the particles begin to move faster and spread apart. When the mantle rock is heated, the density decreases.
Decreased density causes the mantle rock to rise. As the mantle rock moves farther away from the core towards the crust, it begins to cool. After the mantle rock begins to cool, the particles move slower. The density of the mantle rock will increase because it is cooler. When the density increases the mantle rock begins to sink. The mantle rock sinks back towards the core and the cycle restarts.