Question

Give two similarities and one difference between the lithosphere and the crust

Answer 1

The crust and lithosphere are similar in that both include the Earth's outer surface and are composed of rocks, but they differ as the crust is a chemical layer while the lithosphere is a mechanical layer that includes both the crust and part of the upper mantle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The crust and the lithosphere are two different layers of the Earth with distinct characteristics and functions. While they share some similarities, such as being part of Earth's outer layers and consisting of rocks, they have notable differences.

Similarity #1: Both the crust and the lithosphere include the Earth's outer surface, composed of various types of rocks. The crust is the very thin, outermost shell of rock on the Earth's surface. Oceanic crust is primarily basaltic, while continental crust is mainly granitic.

Similarity #2: The lithosphere includes both the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. This entire layer is brittle and behaves as a rigid solid, making up the Earth's outermost mechanical layer.

Difference: The primary difference between the crust and the lithosphere is their composition and extent. The crust is a chemical layer, consisting only of the Earth's surface, and varying in thickness. In contrast, the lithosphere is a mechanical layer defined by its physical properties; it not only includes the crust but also the uppermost mantle, with an average thickness of about 100 kilometers.

Answer 2

The crust is part of the lithosphere. The lithosphere is composed of the crust plus the brittle uppermost layer of the mantle. Together, they form the tectonic plates which "float" on top of the plastic-like rock of the mantle called the asthenosphere.