Final answer:
Plate tectonics and lithospheric rearrangement are interchangeable terms that describe the movement and interaction of Earth's tectonic plates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that describes how the Earth's crust is divided into large sections, called tectonic plates, which move and interact with each other. These movements, known as lithospheric rearrangement, result in various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and the formation of mountains. Therefore, plate tectonics and lithospheric rearrangement are closely related terms that refer to the same concept.