Download What Happens During Convection?

What Happens During
Convection?
The figure to the right shows a convection
cells in Earth’s mantle. A convection cell is
one complete loop of convection current.
Use the figure to answer the questions that
follow.
Draw lines to match the description with the
proper letters.
C–B
Magma heats up by the core
becoming less dense.
B–A
Hotter magma rises because it
has a lower density.
A–D
Magma cools by the crust
becoming denser.
D–C
Cooler magma falls because it
has a higher density.
Answer the following questions
1. Where does the heat come from that drives the convection currents in the
mantle?
2. Where is the temperature of the mantle material greater, at point A or point B?
Explain why.
3. What happens to the temperature and density of the material between points A
and D?
4. What happens to the temperature and density of the material between points C
and B?
5. What are these currents in the mantle called?
6. How do you think this convection cell might affect the crust material
above it?