Final answer:
Mountain ranges tend to lie along past or present tectonic plate boundaries due to the movement and collision of the Earth's lithospheric plates, resulting in the uplift and folding of the crust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distribution and formation of mountain ranges are closely associated with tectonic plate boundaries. The Earth's crust consists of several tectonic plates that move, resulting in earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the creation of mountain ranges. When two continental plates collide, they exert immense pressure on each other, leading to the buckling and folding of the Earth's surface, forming mountain ranges such as the Alps and Himalayas. Over time, mountain ranges may be weathered and eroded, but the evidence of ancient tectonic activity can often be seen in the topography of continents, where linear mountain belts indicate past convergent boundaries.
The correct answer to the question is that mountain ranges tend to lie along past or present tectonic plate boundaries. This is supported by geographic evidence and the understanding of plate tectonics, which show that most mountains on Earth are a product of the activities of these plates. Plate tectonics involve the movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which can cause compression and uplift of the crust to form mountains.