Chapter 26, Problem 18TE

To determine

Whether the mantle beneath the crust is denser than the crust.

Answer to Problem 18TE

The mantle is hotter and denser than the crust because the temperature and pressure of the mantle are higher.

Explanation of Solution

According to scientists, our planet is made up of three main layers that are crust, mantle and core. The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth. The mantle is present below the crust of the Earth. It is a denser and hot layer of semi-solid rock.

The mantle is hotter and denser than the crust because the temperature and pressure of the mantle are higher. The pressure and temperature increase with the increase in depth of the Earth. The fact that mantle is beneath the crust is responsible for the dense layer of the mantle than the crust.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the mantle is hotter and denser than the crust because the temperature and pressure of the mantle are higher.