Science 10

Science – Grade 10
Quarter 1 – Module 9: Plate Boundaries
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Janice D. Balcoba
Editor: Rosalina B. Piamonte
Reviewers: Rosalina B. Piamonte , Cathy S. Seron
Illustrator:
Layout Artist: Mark Kihm G. Lara
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Aurelio G. Alfonso EdD
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Victor M. Javeña EdD
Chief, School Governance and Operations Division and
OIC-Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division

Education Program Supervisors

Librada L. Agon EdD (EPP/TLE/TVL/TVE)

Liza A. Alvarez (Science/STEM/SSP)
Bernard R. Balitao (AP/HUMSS)
Joselito E. Calios (English/SPFL/GAS)
Norlyn D. Conde EdD (MAPEH/SPA/SPS/HOPE/A&D/Sports)
Wilma Q. Del Rosario (LRMS/ADM)
Ma. Teresita E. Herrera EdD (Filipino/GAS/Piling Larang)
Perlita M. Ignacio PhD (EsP)
Dulce O. Santos PhD (Kindergarten/MTB-MLE)
Teresita P. Tagulao EdD (Mathematics/ABM)

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Schools Division of

Pasig City
Science 10
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 9

Plate Boundaries
Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the (Science 10) Self-Learning Module on (Plate Boundaries)!

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
 For the Learner:

Welcome to the (Science) Self-Learning Module on (Plate Boundaries)!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS
This module is designed and written to help you master the lesson about plate
boundaries. It was prepared to provide different activities for you to master the given
topic. The skills in this module is included in the most essential learning
competencies in the list issued by the Department of Education.
This module is about the different types of plate boundaries.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. describe the movement in each type of plate boundary;
2. relate each type of plate with the stress on rocks; and
3. realize the importance of readiness and alertness during disasters
brought about by the movement of plates.

PRETEST
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. What kind of motion would be expected at a convergent plate boundary?
A. The plates slide past each other.
B. The plates move away from each other.
C. The plates move toward from each other.
D. The plates move away or toward from each other.
2. Which of the following types of plate boundaries move in
slide past?
A. convergent boundary
B. divergent boundary
C. transform boundary
D. all of the above
3. What type of tectonic forces cause faulting?
A. compressional force
B. shearing force
C. tensional force
D. all of these
4. Which of the following stress on rocks tends to push two sides of plates in
opposite direction so that they slide horizontally past one each other?
A. compression
B. shear
C. tension
D. all of these
5. While earthquake is taking place, you should _____.
A. drop, cover, and hold
B. drop, run and hold
C. roll, run, and cover
D. stop, drop, and roll
 RECAP
Using the diagram below, what kind of plate boundary are on the following?
1. African plate- South
American plate
2. Pacific plate- North
American plate
3. Cocos plate- Nazca
plate
4. Australian plate-
Pacific plate
5. Antarctic plate –
Pacific plate

LESSON
In our previous lesson, we discuss about the three types of plate boundaries
such as convergent, divergent and transform plate boundary. We learned that
lithospheric plates or tectonic plates continue to move relative to each other. The
movement of the different plates varies from each other. The plates may move apart,
collide or slide past each other. The movement of plates creates the three types of
plate boundaries.

Let’s look on the relative motion of plates on figure 1. The arrow tells the
direction of movement of plates.

Figure 1: Direction of movement of plates

For example, the Eurasian plate and North American plate, you will notice that
the plates are moving away with each other. This is an example of divergent plate
boundary. Can you identify other plates that move away with each other?
 Figure 2. Direction of plate movement in divergent plate boundary

Look at the movement of Philippine plate and Eurasian plate, the two plates are
moving toward each other. This is an example of convergent plate boundary. Can
you identify other examples of convergent plate boundary?

Figure 3. Direction of plate movement in convergent plate boundary

The last type of plate boundary is transform plate boundary. Example of this
are the North American plate and Pacific plate. These two plates slide past to each
other.

Figure 4. Direction of plate movement in transform plate boundary

When the plates are pulled or pushed together, stress occurs. Stress is the
force applied on the rocks. Each type of movement on different plate boundaries go
along with different types of stress. As the plates move away or toward each other,
the rocks underneath is subjected to stress. Stress can cause a rock to change shape
or to break. When a rock bends without breaking, it folds. When the rock breaks, it
fractures. Mountain building and earthquakes are some of the responses rocks to
different stress that happened.

There are three types of stress related to the movement of plate boundaries.
These are compression at convergent boundaries, tension at divergent
boundaries and shear at transform plate boundaries. The different stress that
happens among rocks may cause change in shape or deformation either elastic or
plastic deformation, or fracture. Elastic deformation happens when rocks returns
to its original shape when the stress is removed. While rocks that undergo stress and
do not return to its original shape after stress was removed is called plastic
deformation. Lastly, when rocks under stress breaks, it is called a fracture.

At convergent boundary, when rocks are squeeze together compression

happens that causes rocks to fold or fracture. In this type of plate boundary, rocks
that undergo plastic deformation crumple into folds. The rocks do not return to their
original shape. More stress on the rocks causes more folding or fracture. It can cause
either horizontal or vertical compressional stress. Horizontal compression stress can
result to thickening or shortening of crust while for vertical compression, the crust
can be thin out or break off. The force of compression can push rocks together or
causes the edges of each plate colliding to rise. As a result, mountains or islands
are formed due to high-impact compression stress caused by two plates collided.

Figure 5. Fractured rock

Figure 6. Folding of rock

On the other hand, divergent boundary undergoes tensional stress.

When tensional stresses pull crust apart, it breaks into blocks that slide up and
drop down along normal faults. The result is alternating mountains and valleys. An
example of tensional stress is the Mid-Atlantic ridge, where the plates carrying North
and South America are moving west while the plates of Arica and Eurasia are moving
east. Aside from this, tensional stress can also happen within the existing plate like
in Eastern Africa. Within the African plate it splits into two pieces. This process is
called rifting.

Figure 7. Mid-Atlantic ridge as a result of tensional stress

Moreover, when forces act parallel to each other but in opposite direction, the
stress is called shear. Shear stress causes two rocks to slide past each other. This
is the stress that happens in transform plate boundary. Rocks under enough stress
will eventually fracture. Sometimes no movement happens on either side of the
fractured rock. The fracture is called joint. But if fractured rocks will have movement
on one or both sides, the fracture is called fault. Sudden motions along faults cause
rocks to break and move suddenly, releasing the stored-up stress energy to create
an earthquake. An example of this is the most popular San Andreas Fault in
California.

Figure 8. Rock showing shear stress

ACTIVITIES
Let’s check what you have learned today. Answer Module 9-Activity 1 entitled
“The Plate Boundaries” and Module 9-Activity 2 entitled “Where is the Fault?”
You can find Activity 2 uploaded by your Science teacher in your messenger group.
Module 9 -ACTIVITY 1
THE PLATE BOUNDARIES
Learning Competency: Describe the different types of plate boundaries.S10ES-Ia-
j36.2
Learning objective:
1. Describe the movement in each type of plate boundary.
2. Relate each type of plate with the stress on rocks.
Materials:
activity sheet, ballpen
Procedure:
Complete the concept map below. Choose your answers from the word bank below.

1. 2.

Plates move stress formed

4._________
___________ movemen CONVERGENT creates 3.
___________
___________
_____.
PLATE BOUNDARIES

DIVERGENT TRANSFORM

Plates move
stress formed stress formed Plates move
5._________
___________ 6. 11.________
9. ___________
___________
___________ creates creates ___________
___________
7.
10.
8.
WORD BANK
shear tension away from each other
islands ridge by sliding past to each other
rift fault toward each other
compression mountain range

Closure:

Based from the activity, differentiate the three kinds of plate boundaries based
on the movement of plates and the stress on each plate boundary.
 WRAP-UP
To summarize what have you learned, answer the following by filling in the
correct word to complete the paragraph. Choose from the words inside the box.
There are three types of plate boundaries, namely; convergent, divergent and
transform. Force acted on boundaries causes plates to move and is called as
1.____________. The type of force depends on the movement of the plates. Two plates
that are 2._______________ each other is convergent plate boundary where the stress
is called 3.____________. 4.______________stress usually happens at divergent plate
boundary, where plates are 5._____________ from each other. 6. ____________ stress
on the edges of plates that 7. ____________ with each other, is common in transform
plate boundary.

shear compression tensional

moving away slide past moving toward

VALUING

Stress acted on plate boundaries causes deformations to our lithosphere. Let

us find some deformations in the Philippines.
To know more about this, do Module 9-Activity 3, entitled “Only in the
Philippines”. You can find the activity uploaded by your Science teacher in your
messenger group.

POSTTEST

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. What kind of motion would be expected between plates in transform plate
boundary?
A. Compression
B. Shear
C. Tension
D. B and C
2. How do plates move in divergent plate boundary?
A. move away from each other
B. slide past from each other
C. move toward from each other
D. either move away or toward from each other
3. What kind of stress is present if the movement of two plate boundaries result
to the formation of rift valley or ridge?
A. compression
B. shear
C. tension
D. none of these
4. Sierra Madre Mountain Range is the longest mountain range in the
Philippines. What possible movement of plate boundaries and type of stress
happened that results to this kind of mountain range?
A. moving away from the plates – tension
B. moving toward from the plates-compression
C. slide past within the two plates- shear
D. slide past within the two plates- compression
5. As a result of movement in transform plate boundary, it causes strong
earthquakes. All of the following are the ways to do during an earthquake
except ______.
A. Be careful on broken glasses.
B. Stay away from damaged areas.
C. Stay under a tree to avoid heat coming from the sun.
D. If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake
stops.
Pre-assessment Activity 2
1. C 1. Answers may vary
2. C 2. Answers may vary
3. B 3. Answers may vary
4. B Generalization
5. A Answers may vary
Recap Wrap-up
1. Divergent 1. stress
2. Transform 2. moving toward
3. Divergent 3. compression
4. Convergent 4. tensional
5. Divergent 5. moving away
Activity 1 6. shear
1. Compression 7. slide past
2.-3 In any order Activity 3
2. mountain range 1. The most active volcanoes in Luzon
3. islands 2. The strongest earthquake in the Philippines
4. toward each other 3. How was Mount Pinatubo formed
5. away from each other 4. The longest mountain range in the
6. tension Philippines
7-8 in any order 5. The longest fault line in the Philippines
7. ridge Guide Questions
8.rift 1. Mountain range, volcano, volcanic arc, fault
9. shear line and earthquake.
10. fault 2. Answers may vary.
11. by sliding past to each Generalization
other Convergent boundary- plates moves toward
each other.
Divergent boundary- plates move away from
each other.
Transform boundary- plates slide-past to
each other.
Plate movements formed are volcanoes,
mountain ranges, fault line and earthquake.
Generalization
Plate Boundary Movement Type of
stress
Convergent Plates move towards with each Compression
plate.
Divergent Plates move away from each Tension
other.
Transform Plates slide past with each Shear
other.
Post-Assessment
1.B
2. A
3. C
4. B
5. C
KEY TO CORRECTION
 References
BOOKS

Acosta, Herma D., et al. 2015. Grade 10 Science Learner’s Material.

Pasig City: Rex Bookstore.
Valdez, Meliza P. et.al., 2015. Science Links Worktext for Science and
Technological Literacy. Pasig City: Rex Bookstore

ONLINE SOURCES

Oskin, Becky. “What Is Plate Tectonics?” LiveScience, Purch, 19 Dec. 2017,

www.livescience.com/37706-what-is-plate-tectonics.html

Pitman, alter C., and Roland von Huene. “Plate Tectonics.” Access Science, McGraw-Hill
Education, 1 Jan. 1970, www.accessscience.com/content/plate-
tectonics/527000.

Wikibooks contributors, "High School Earth Science/Stress in the Earth's

Crust," Wikibooks, The Free Textbook
Project, https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=High_School_Earth_Sci
ence/Stress_i n_the_Earth%27s_Crust&oldid=3701002
DIGITAL IMAGES

Crump, Lyle. “Fractures In The Pink Rock Two .” Fine Art America, 16 Mar. 2017,
fineartamerica.com/featured/fractures-in-the-pink-rock-two-lyle-crump.html.

Dalhoff, Henning. “Tectonic Plate Boundary Types, Diagram - Stock Image -

C015/1913.” Science Photo Library,
www.sciencephoto.com/media/497136/view/tectonic-plate-boundary-types-
diagram

David, Brett. “Rocks showing dextral shear” (2004). “High School Earth Science/Stress
in the Earth's Crust.” Wikibooks, Open Books for an Open World,
en.m.wikibooks.org/wiki/High_School_Earth_Science/Stress_in_the_Earth's_Cru
st?fbclid=IwAR2Flr9bzIVKkwCFpNjJLHQs9lgy1N2XVJ6Xof3Vepdhbma9tzO_V-
pCeCY.

“Effects of the Divergent Boundary - Mid-Ocean Ridges and Iceland.” Google Sites,
sites.google.com/site/midoceanridgesandiceland/effects-of-a-divergent-boundary.

“Tectonic Stress and Geologic Structures.” OER Services Earth Science,

courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-earthscience/chapter/tectonic-stress-and-
geologic-structures-2/.

“Unit Deux - Earth and Space Final Cam.” Google Sites,

sites.google.com/site/earthandspacefinalcam/unit-deux.

Mid-Atlantic Ridge. 2011. Photograph. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 2011. Web. 14 Nov.
2011.