Question

Point b are 50 meters apart. The temperature at point a is 60°C. At point b, it is 55°C. The temperature gradient, keeping other conditions constant, if the mantle and the crust were closer to each other, is?

1) Cannot be determined
2) Higher
3) Lower
4) Remains the same

Answer 1

If the mantle and crust were closer together, the temperature gradient between two points would be higher because the same temperature difference would occur over a shorter distance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the change in the temperature gradient when the mantle and crust are closer to each other, in a hypothetical scenario where point A and point B are 50 meters apart with temperatures of 60°C and 55°C respectively. The temperature gradient is the rate at which temperature changes with distance. Assuming a uniform medium and constant heat flow, if the mantle and crust were closer, the temperature gradient would be higher because the same temperature difference would occur over a shorter distance. However, if other conditions are not constant (e.g., heat flow changes), this could affect the gradient differently. In geology, this concept is tied to the understanding of geothermal gradients, which typically range from 25-30°C/km away from tectonic plate boundaries.