Final answer:
The primary energy source that drives the movement of Earth's plates is convection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary energy source that drives the movement of Earth's plates is convection.
Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of particles in a fluid. In the case of Earth's plates, it is the movement of molten rock in the mantle that drives the tectonic plates to shift and move. This movement is known as plate tectonics.
An example of convection can be seen in the formation and movement of mid-oceanic ridges and subduction zones. In these areas, hot magma rises to the surface, creating new crust, while cooler crust descends into the mantle, completing the cycle.
Learn more about Plate tectonics