HS-ESS2-3 | Thermal Convection in Earth · NYS standard · Regents questions

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Revision as of 02:41, 16 October 2026 by Conrad (talk | contribs) (PLDs: add example released question per level (editor judgment))
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Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on both a one-dimensional model of Earth, with radial layers determined by density, and a three- dimensional model, which is controlled by mantle convection and the resulting plate tectonics. Rocks and minerals can be identified and classified using various tests and protocols that determine their physical and chemical properties. Examples of evidence include maps of Earth’s three-dimensional structure obtained from seismic waves, records of the rate of change of Earth’s magnetic field (as constraints on convection in the outer core), and identification of the composition of Earth’s layers from high-pressure laboratory experiments.

Reference Tables

Relevant reference tables:


Regents Exam Questions

Released New York State Regents exam questions that assess HS-ESS2-3 are listed here by exam and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam Cluster Question
August 2026 Earth and Space Sciences Regents Chesapeake Bay Impact Event Question 9
Canary Islands Hotspot Question 12
June 2026 Earth and Space Sciences Regents The Slow Carbon Cycle Question 10
The Complex Tectonics of the Western Pacific Question 39
The Complex Tectonics of the Western Pacific Question 40
The Siberian Traps Question 47
The Siberian Traps Question 48
January 2026 Earth and Space Sciences Regents Mined and Mineral Resources of New York State Question 14
August 2025 Earth and Space Sciences Regents Northern New York's Pyrites Complex Question 27
Northern New York's Pyrites Complex Question 29
Earth and Space Sciences sample clusters (Fall 2024) Theia and the Moon Question 6
Earth and Space Sciences sample clusters (Spring 2024) Modeling of Earth's Interior Question 1
Modeling of Earth's Interior Question 2
Modeling of Earth's Interior Question 3
Modeling of Earth's Interior Question 4
Plate Tectonics Question 4
Modeling of Earth's Interior Question 5
Modeling of Earth's Interior Question 6

Vocabulary

Terms from the Earth & Space Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it.

From this standard
  • composition
  • constraints
  • convection currents
  • crust
  • cycling of matter
  • deep probes
  • density
  • Earth
  • Earth materials
  • Earth’s formation
  • Earth’s interior
  • Earth’s layers
  • Earth’s magnetic field
  • Earth’s surface
  • high-pressure laboratory experiments
  • igneous rock
  • inner core
  • isotope
  • mantle
  • mantle convection
  • metamorphic rock
  • minerals
  • model
  • motion
  • natural systems
  • outer core
  • outward flow of energy
  • physical and chemical properties
  • plate tectonics
  • radial layers
  • radioactive decay
  • recycling
  • recycling of Earth materials
  • reflection
  • residual heat
  • rock cycle
  • rock types
  • sedimentary rock
  • seismic waves
  • surface processes
  • thermal convection
  • unstable isotopes
From released exam questions
Implied by this standard
  • P-waves and S-waves – implied by "seismic waves"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Regents exam question on HS-ESS2-3 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Given a model of Earth’s interior, identify the evidence, from those provided, that shows the cycling of matter by thermal convection or given a model with evidence, identify a stage of recycling of Earth materials by surface processes or by convection currents in the mantle. August 2025 Question 29
Level 2: Given a model of Earth’s interior, identify the evidence that shows the cycling of matter by thermal convection or given a model with evidence, identify stages of recycling of Earth materials by surface processes or by convection currents in the mantle or identify a rock or mineral using evidence from a given a model of physical and chemical properties of rocks or minerals. August 2026 Question 9
Level 3: Given a model, describe the cycling of matter (e.g., minerals and rock cycle) by thermal convection based on evidence of Earth’s interior or given a model with evidence, describe stages of recycling of Earth materials by surface processes or by convection currents in the mantle or identify the location of the formation of rock types using evidence from a given model. June 2026 Question 10
Level 4: Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection. June 2026 Question 47
Level 5: Develop a complex model of Earth’s interior using multiple pieces of evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems and/or the components of a system in order to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.
Notice: PLD levels!

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-ESS2-3 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices
  • Developing and using models: Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.
  • Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence: Science knowledge is based on empirical evidence.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
  • Earth materials and systems: Evidence from deep probes and seismic waves, reconstructions of historical changes in Earth’s surface and its magnetic field, and an understanding of physical and chemical processes lead to a model of Earth with a hot but solid inner core, a liquid outer core, a solid mantle and crust. Motions of the mantle and its plates occur primarily through thermal convection, which involves the cycling of matter due to the outward flow of energy from Earth’s interior and gravitational movement of denser materials toward the interior.
  • Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions: Residual heat from Earth’s formation and the radioactive decay of unstable isotopes in Earth’s interior continually generate energy that is absorbed by Earth’s mantle and crust, driving mantle convection. Plate tectonics can be viewed as the surface expression of mantle convection.
  • Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions: Minerals are the building blocks of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and can be identified using physical and chemical characteristics. These rock types are evidence of stages of constant recycling of Earth material by surface processes and convection currents in the mantle.
  • Wave properties: Geologists use seismic waves and their reflection at interfaces between layers to probe structures deep in the planet.
Crosscutting Concepts
  • Energy and matter: Energy drives the cycling of matter within and between systems.
  • Interdependence of science, technology, and engineering: Science and engineering complement each other in the cycle known as research and development (R&D). Many R&D projects may involve scientists, engineers, and others with wide ranges of expertise.
Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard
Earth and Space Science | HS. Earth's Systems
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