Plate tectonics explains important features of the Earth's surface and major geologic events. Topography is reshaped by weathering of rock and soil and by the transportation and deposition of sediment. Heat moves in a predictable flow from warmer objects to cooler objects until all objects are at the same temperature. Many phenomena on the Earth's surface are affected by the transfer of energy through radiation and convection currents. Sources of energy and materials differ in amounts, distribution, usefulness, and the time required for their formation.
Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.
As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations.