Question

Under which condition would a body of rock be most likely to exhibit brittle behavior?

A) High temperature
B) High pressure
C) Low temperature
D) High humidity

Answer 1

A body of rock is most likely to exhibit brittle behavior under low temperature conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

A body of rock is most likely to exhibit brittle behavior under low temperature conditions. When the temperature is low, the rocks become more rigid and less able to deform without fracturing. This is because low temperatures reduce the ability of rocks to absorb energy, making them more brittle.

For example, in colder regions, rocks are more prone to fracture due to the freezing and expansion of water within the rock, leading to stress and brittle behavior. On the other hand, higher temperatures increase the ability of rocks to deform plastically, making them less likely to exhibit brittle behavior.