Science 7–10 · Year 8
A mantle plume in a beaker, and why convection is no longer the plate engine
Science understanding: Earth and space sciences (NSW Stage 4 focus area: Change)
Teacher-led demonstration
A teacher carries out this activity as a demonstration. Its materials, steps, variables, misconceptions and sources are not published on the open web, and neither is any result, control or note that states a number or an amount: tutors and administrators read them on the learning platform, with the safety card first. The idea, the hazards and the curriculum references are below.
Open the procedure on the learning platform (tutor or administrator sign-in)
School laboratory, not for home
In a school laboratory, with a teacher supervising, under the school's risk assessment. Not for home.
The idea
Heated viscous material rises as a plume and spreads at the surface, which models hotspots; the same demonstration shows how a model once taught as the cause of plate motion was replaced when better evidence pointed to slab pull.
Safety card
Setting: In a school laboratory, with a teacher supervising, under the school's risk assessment. Not for home.
Hazards
- Bunsen burner and hot syrup (severe burns; syrup sticks to skin)
- glass beaker on a tripod without gauze can crack
Controls
At least one of them states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so the controls are shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
Note
It states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so it is shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
What you should see
It states a number or an amount, which may be part of the method, so it is shown with the method to tutors and administrators on the learning platform.
Curriculum references
The NSW syllabus outcomes and Australian Curriculum v9 codes this activity supports. They are references, not a verified or complete curriculum alignment.
- Science 7-10 Syllabus (2023), NSW Education Standards Authority (implemented from 2026; codes read at curriculum.nsw.edu.au on 22 and 23 September 2026)SC4-CHG-01SC4-WS-02SC4-WS-06
- Australian Curriculum v9AC9S8U03AC9S8H01AC9S8I06