What is the difference between Oceanic and Continental plates and do these differences effect how they move?

Question

What is the difference between Oceanic and Continental plates and do these differences effect how they move?

Answer 1

The reason the oceanic plate goes under the continental plate is because it is basaltic (made from lava from the divergent ridges) and more dense.  Continental is granitic (made from magma welling up from the convergent boundaries), making it less dense and more flexible ('springy').

When you get two similar plates meeting, you will tend to have higher uplift.  Especially continent/continent - ie the Himalayas.

Answer 2

Oceanic plates are thinner but more dense than the continental crust.  The ocean tend to eventually be subducted underneath continental plate, which causes either volcanism or continental uplift. The oceanic crust is subducted underneath the continental crust because the oceanic crust is also heavier than the continental crust, therefore goes under during convergence.

Continental crust is a lot thicker but less dense.  

Seafloors tend to spread

Continents undergo convergence such as India and Asia or have rift zones.