Final answer:
Ridge push and slab pull are interconnected processes contributing to plate tectonics. The lithosphere at an oceanic ridge is pulled down by gravity, exerting force on the slab and increasing slab pull.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ridge push and slab pull are two interconnected processes that contribute to plate tectonics. Ridge push is the force that drives the movement of tectonic plates away from oceanic ridges, caused by the weight of the lithosphere pushing down towards the subduction zone. Slab pull, on the other hand, is the force exerted on the slab of oceanic lithosphere that is subducting beneath another plate, pulling it into the mantle.
The statement that best describes how ridge push can affect slab pull is: The lithosphere at an oceanic ridge is pulled down by gravity and exerts force on the slab, increasing slab pull. As the weight of the lithosphere pushes down towards the subduction zone, it increases the force exerted on the subducting slab, enhancing the slab pull process.
Learn more about Plate tectonics