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Chapter 9: Problem 33

Choose the best answer to each of the following. Explain your reasoning with one or more complete sentences. What is the name of the rigid outer layer of a planet? (a) crust (b) mantle (c) lithosphere

Short Answer

Expert verified
The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of a planet.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Key Terms

To solve this exercise, we need to understand the key terms provided in the options. The terms include 'crust,' 'mantle,' and 'lithosphere.' These terms relate to the layers of a planet, specifically Earth, and help us determine which one is rigid and outermost.
02

Define 'Crust'

The crust is the outermost solid shell of a planet. It is a thin layer compared to others and is known to be rigid and brittle. On Earth, the crust is the surface that includes the landforms we are familiar with.
03

Define 'Mantle'

The mantle is the layer below the crust and consists of semi-solid rock that moves slowly. It is not considered rigid like the crust because of its semi-fluid properties that enable plate tectonics.
04

Define 'Lithosphere'

The lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is a rigid layer as a whole because it includes the solid crust and the solid but cooler part of the mantle. The lithosphere 'floats' on the softer asthenosphere below it.
05

Compare and Choose

Among the options, both the crust and the lithosphere are considered rigid and outer portions of the planet. However, since the lithosphere includes the crust and upper mantle, it represents the most comprehensive 'rigid outer layer.' Thus, the lithosphere is the best answer.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Understanding the Crust
The crust is the outermost layer of a planet like Earth. Think of it as the skin of an apple, thin and protective. This layer is made primarily of solid rocks and minerals.
The Earth's crust forms both the land we stand on and the ocean floors. Though it may seem thin when compared to other layers, it's crucial in defining a planet's geography.
  • The crust is typically rigid and brittle.
  • It includes everything from mountains to valleys and ocean beds.
  • Composed of tectonic plates, it鈥檚 where seismic activity like earthquakes start.
Understanding the crust helps us appreciate how planetary surfaces evolve and how life, as we know it, exists on Earth.
Delving into the Mantle
Beneath the crust lies the mantle, a thick, middle layer that seems to operate differently. The mantle is semi-solid and behaves in a unique way. It isn鈥檛 as rigid as the crust; rather, it's more like a very thick syrup that flows slowly over time.
This movement within the mantle is due to heat from the core of the Earth. As heat rises, it creates convection currents that drive the movement of the tectonic plates above.
  • The mantle makes up about 84% of the Earth's volume.
  • Its flow affects volcanic activity and plate tectonics.
  • It鈥檚 primarily composed of silicate minerals rich in iron and magnesium.
By understanding the mantle, we learn about the forces that shape the contours of a planet's surface and influence geologic activity.
Comprehending the Lithosphere
The lithosphere is like a sandwich that combines components of the crust and the upper mantle. This layer is rigid but is more than just the crust; it includes the uppermost part of the mantle. Together, they form a solid, outer shell.
Think of the lithosphere as a massive plate floating over the softer layer beneath it called the asthenosphere. This movement is critical for plate tectonics, which creates continents, mountains, and oceanic ridges.
  • The lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates.
  • It gives rise to earthquakes as these plates shift.
  • Supports the biosphere and all life on Earth.
Grasping the importance of the lithosphere helps us understand natural phenomena on Earth and other planets, reflecting how their surfaces have transformed over time.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Choose the best answer to each of the following. Explain your reasoning with one or more complete sentences. What do we conclude if a planet has few impact craters of any size? (a) The planet was never bombarded by asteroids or comets. (b) Its atmosphere stopped impactors of all sizes. (c) Other geological processes have wiped out craters.

Suppose we were to make the following discoveries. (These are not real discoveries. ) In light of your understanding of planetary geology, decide whether the discovery should be considered reasonable or surprising. (In some cases, both views can be defended.) Explain your answer, if possible tracing your logic back to the terrestrial worlds' funda- mental properties of size, distance from the Sun, and rotation rate. A new orbiter observes a volcanic eruption on Venus.

Be sure to show all calculations clearly and state your final answers in complete sentences. In daylight, Earth's surface absorbs about 400 watts per square meter. Earth's internal radioactivity produces a total of 30 trillion watts that leak out through our planet's entire surface. Calculate the amount of heat from radioactive decay that flows outward through each square meter of Earth's surface (your answer should have units of watts per square meter). Compare quantitatively to solar heating, and comment on why internal heating drives geological activity.

Fill two small plastic containers of similar shape but different sizes with cold water and put both into the freezer at the same time. Every hour or so, record the time and estimate the thickness of the "lithosphere" (the frozen layer) in the two tubs. How long does it take the water in each tub to freeze completely? Describe the relevance of your experiment to planetary geology. Extra credit: Plot your results on a graph with time on the \(x\) -axis and lithospheric thickness on the \(y\) -axis. What is the ratio of the two freezing times?

Learn about one major earthquake or volcanic eruption that occurred during the past decade. Report on the geological conditions that led to the event, as well as on its geological and human consequences.
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