Laboratory Activity

Evidences Supporting the Continental Drift Theory

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Introduction

Continental drift theory is proposed by Alfred Wegener. Wegener was convinced that
all of Earth’s continents were once part of an enormous, single landmass called Pangaea.
Continental drift was a theory that explained how continents shift position on Earth's surface.
Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways geologists thought continents moved over
time. This map displays an early "supercontinent," Gondwana, which eventually moved to
form the continents we know today. Fossils of similar organisms across widely disparate
continents encouraged the revolutionary theory of continental drift.
There are about five evidences that supports the continental drift theory;
 Geological “fit” evidence
 Fossil Relevance
 Sequence of Rocks
 Ice on several continents match
 Sea-floor spreading is still currently happening

Objectives

The objectives of the activity is to;

1. Define the five evidences regarding the continental drift theory.

2. Determine why the scientists rejected Wegener’s continental drift theory.

Materials

Styrofoam Wire Gauze

Llanera Tripod
Water Alcohol lamp

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Earth Science: Laboratory Activity: Evidences Supporting the Continental Drift Theory
Procedures

1. Prepare the materials (Styrofoam, Aluminum foil bowl, Water, Tripod, Alcohol lamp)

2. Put at least half a cup of water in the aluminum foil bowl and include the Styrofoam.

3. Put the bowl on the tripod and light the alcohol lamp.

4. Wait for the water to boil then observe what will happen to the Styrofoam.

Discussions/Observations

1. Why do you think the continental drift theory was rejected by the scientists?
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2. Discuss the five evidences of Wegener’s continental drift theory.

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3. Based on the activity, what do you think are the factors that have something to
do with the Supercontinent “Pangaea” drifting apart?

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4. From the experiment, what are your observations regarding what happened to
the Styrofoam.

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Earth Science: Laboratory Activity: Evidences Supporting the Continental Drift Theory
 5. Which evidence was supported by the experiment? Explain.

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Conclusion
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Documentation

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Earth Science: Laboratory Activity: Evidences Supporting the Continental Drift Theory