Skip to main content
Geosciences LibreTexts

4.7: Lab Exercise (Part C)

  • Page ID
    5489
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Part C – Plate Densities

    An important property of geological plates is their density (mass/volume). Remember the asthenosphere has fluid-like properties, such that tectonic plates ‘float’ relative to their density. This property is called isostasy and is similar to buoyancy in water. For example, if a cargo ship has a full load of goods it will appear lower than if it were empty because the density of the ship is on average higher. Therefore, the relative density of two plates can control how they interact at a boundary and the types of geological features found along the border between the two plates. Measuring the density of rocks is fairly easy and can be done by first weighing the rocks and then calculating their volume. The latter is best done by a method called fluid displacement using a graduated cylinder. Water is added to the cylinder and the level is recorded, a rock is then added to the cylinder and the difference in water levels equals the volume of the rock. Density is then calculated as the mass divided by the volume (Figure 4.4).

    clipboard_efb92b691b19141a67af4b3de2b7b7a0f.png

    The information needed to calculate density was collected for four rocks and can be used to answer the following questions including the weight (in grams) as well as the volume of water recorded by a graduated cylinder (in milliliters) before and after the rock was added. Note: each line on the graduated cylinder represents 10 ml. When measuring the volume please round to the nearest 10-milliliter line on the graduated cylinder.

    Note

    Surface tension will often cause the water level to curve up near the edges of the graduated cylinder creating a feature called a meniscus. To accurately measure the volume, use the lowest point the water looks to occupy.

    clipboard_e37f7babd3851fd74f58d23c07f92983b.png

    15. The rock that most closely resembles the composition of continental crust based on the description in the previous section is:

    a. A                         b. B                         c. C                         d. D

     

    16. Based on the choice you made for question 15, what is the density of the rocks that make up continental crust? Please give your answer in grams/milliliter.

     

     

     

     

     

    17. The rock that most closely resembles the composition of oceanic crust based on the description in the previous section is:

    a. A                         b. B                         c. C                         d. D

    18. Based on the choice you made for question 17, what is the density of the rocks that make up oceanic crust? Please give your answer in grams/milliliter.

     

     

     

     

     

    19. Remember, because of isostasy the denser plate will be lower than the less dense plate. If oceanic and continental crust collided, based on their densities the __________ crust would sink below the ________crust.

    a. continental; oceanic                         b. oceanic; continental


    This page titled 4.7: Lab Exercise (Part C) is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Deline, Harris & Tefend (GALILEO Open Learning Materials) .

    • Was this article helpful?