How do you apply sientific method to plate tectonics ?

Answer 1

Here's a few steps

1. Observe a natural phenomenon and do as much research as possible so you have a good base of knowledge on the subject.
2. Come up with a question about why/how the phenomenon takes place
3. Come up with a testable hypothesis that explains the phenomenon.
4. Conduct an experiment/study that tests the hypothesis
5. Interpret the results of the study and decide if the hypothesis is accepted or rejected.
(repeat 3-5 many times)
6. If a hypothesis has been supported through experimentation enough to convince a majority of people that it may be true it becomes a scientific theory.
(repeat 3-5 many more times)
7. If a theory is supported through experimentation over and over to the point that the vast majority of scientists accept it as fact the theory is called a law (eg - gravity or thermodynamics)....

Now, how do you apply this to plate tectonics....

1. Volcanoes erupt liquid rock along plate boundaries.
2. Does this liquid rock come from subducting plates, or is it just from country rock melting at the hot mantle boundary?
3. Hypothesis - the magma is coming directly from the subducting plate.
4. Study -- Test the mineral content of the country rock, as well as that of the subducting plate, then check the mineral content of the magma.
5. The results indicate that the magma contains minerals from both the subducting plate and the country rock. The hypothesis is rejected as phrased.
(now go back to step three, and come up with a new hypothesis and test that one... etc)....

This is kind of a dumb study, but I'm tired and hungry.

Answer 2

you dont