Original Project
Plate Tectonics
The outer layer of the earth – including the continents and the ocean basins - consists of separate plates.
Item PT012001: Earth's plates are miles thick.
A scientist measured the thickness of one of earth’s plates. Which of the following could be the scientist’s measurement if she measured the thickness near the middle of the plate?
- Six inches
- Six feet
- Sixty feet
- Sixty miles
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1332 | 3176 | 42% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 803 | 2050 | 39% |
| 9–12 | 523 | 1113 | 47% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 695 | 1514 | 46% |
| Female | 621 | 1621 | 38% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 1227 | 2893 | 42% |
| Other | 78 | 216 | 36% |
- Notes
- NGSS does not specify how thick the plates are.