Which best explains how heat plays a role in the movement of materials within Earth’s interior?

Question

Hot material near Earth’s surface is more dense and sinks, and when it cools, it becomes less dense and rises.
Hot material near the core is more dense and rises, and when it cools, it becomes less dense and sinks.
Hot material near Earth’s surface is less dense and sinks, and when it cools, it becomes more dense and rises.
Hot material near the core is less dense and rises, and when it cools, it becomes more dense and sinks.

Answer 1

The correct explanation for how heat plays a role in the movement of materials within Earth's interior is:

Hot material near the core is less dense and rises, and when it cools, it becomes more dense and sinks.

This description aligns with the process of convection, where hot material from deeper within the Earth rises toward the surface because it is less dense, and as it cools, it becomes denser and sinks back down. This cycle contributes to the movement of tectonic plates and other geological processes.