Here's a breakdown:
* Lithosphere: This is the rigid outer layer of Earth, composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It's broken into tectonic plates.
* Asthenosphere: This is a partially molten layer within the upper mantle. It's like a thick, gooey substance that allows the plates to move. Think of it like a giant, viscous pool of magma that the plates "float" on.
* Lower Mantle: This is a solid layer that lies beneath the asthenosphere.
So, while the plates are technically part of the lithosphere, they move and interact with each other because they sit on top of the less rigid asthenosphere.
