Understanding Density and Plate Tectonics Through Candy Bars

Sweet Density & Plate Tectonics • Explain the Theory of Plate Tectonics • Explain crust movement by using a visual model • Make and test a hypothesis • Collect, organize and use data from a measurement tool

Density Less Dense, More Dense…HUH? Let’s Figure Out Density for a Twix and a 3 Musketeers!

Candy Bar Density • Density = mass / volume • Mass it in grams with a triple beam balance • My Best Friend (Middle, Back, Front)

Triple Beam Balance – Mass (g)

Graduated Cylinder – Volume (mL) Cylinder with Candy - Cylinder Only Volume of a Solid • 30 mL • 23 mL • 7 mL

Using the Data • Twix Mass - ____g ÷ Volume – 15 mL = _____g/mL • 3 Musketeers Mass - ____g ÷ Volume – 20 mL = _____g/mL

Calculating Density

Predict • If the density of water is 1 g/mL • Will our candy bars sink or float?

Making Predictions

Twix vs. 3 MusketeersModeling the Continental and Oceanic Crusts Twix = thinner, more dense 3 Musketeers = thicker, less dense If I collide a Twix with a 3 Musketeers then_______________________, because_______________________.

Twix vs. 3 Musketeers • Draw a picture of what happened • Label the candy bars using these terms • Convergent Boundary • Less Dense • More Dense • Subduction • Oceanic Crust • Continental Crust • Add arrows of directional movement

Creating a Graphic Model

Videos  • Divergent Boundary • Convergent Boundary • Transform Boundary • Types of Faults • Plate Movement Direction: (picture)

Density of the Earth’s Crusts • Oceanic Crust = 3 g/mL • 4-7 miles thick • Made mostly of Basalt (an igneous rock) • Continental Crust = 2.7 g/mL • 20-25 miles thick on average (max – 45 miles thick!) • Made mostly of Granite (an igneous rock)

Update your Pictures • Check Labeled Terms • Convergent Boundary • Less Dense • More Dense • Subduction • Oceanic Crust • Continental Crust • Add numbers of Densities • Hang Picture & Report out to class 

Understanding Density and Plate Tectonics Through Candy Bars