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How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?
- a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica and alumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly iron
- b)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
- c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elements in both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element only
- d)All of the above
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral co...
Justification: Option A: The main mineral constituents of the continental
mass are silica and alumina. The oceanic crust mainly consists of silica and
magnesium. So, A is wrong.
It is core that is largely made of iron.
Option B: Both oceanic crust and continental crust are less dense than the
mantle, but oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. This is partly
why the continents are at a higher elevation than the ocean floor.
Because continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust it floats higher on
the mantle, just like a piece of Styrofoam floats higher on water than a piece
of wood does.
Option C: It is not true, as also mentioned in option A justification.
mass are silica and alumina. The oceanic crust mainly consists of silica and
magnesium. So, A is wrong.
It is core that is largely made of iron.
Option B: Both oceanic crust and continental crust are less dense than the
mantle, but oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. This is partly
why the continents are at a higher elevation than the ocean floor.
Because continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust it floats higher on
the mantle, just like a piece of Styrofoam floats higher on water than a piece
of wood does.
Option C: It is not true, as also mentioned in option A justification.
Q Source: Page 8: Geography NCERT 7th: Our Environment
Most Upvoted Answer
How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral co...
The correct answer is option B: Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
Density Difference:
- One of the main differences between continental crust and oceanic crust is their density.
- Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
- The average density of continental crust is about 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter, while oceanic crust has an average density of about 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter.
- The higher density of oceanic crust is due to its composition, which contains more heavy elements like iron and magnesium.
Composition:
- Continental crust is primarily composed of less dense rocks like granite and sedimentary rocks.
- Oceanic crust, on the other hand, is mainly composed of basaltic rocks, which are denser than the rocks found in continental crust.
Thickness:
- Continental crust is significantly thicker than oceanic crust.
- The average thickness of continental crust is around 35 kilometers, while oceanic crust is much thinner, with an average thickness of about 7 kilometers.
Age:
- Another difference is the age of the crust.
- Continental crust is generally older than oceanic crust.
- The oldest parts of the continental crust are around 4 billion years old, while the oldest parts of oceanic crust are around 200 million years old.
Continental Drift:
- The continental crust is also involved in the process of continental drift, where the continents move and change their positions over time.
- Oceanic crust, on the other hand, is constantly being created and destroyed at oceanic ridges and subduction zones.
Summary:
In summary, the continental crust is less dense, thicker, older, and primarily composed of less dense rocks like granite, while the oceanic crust is denser, thinner, younger, and mainly composed of basaltic rocks. The density difference is the main reason why continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
Density Difference:
- One of the main differences between continental crust and oceanic crust is their density.
- Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
- The average density of continental crust is about 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter, while oceanic crust has an average density of about 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter.
- The higher density of oceanic crust is due to its composition, which contains more heavy elements like iron and magnesium.
Composition:
- Continental crust is primarily composed of less dense rocks like granite and sedimentary rocks.
- Oceanic crust, on the other hand, is mainly composed of basaltic rocks, which are denser than the rocks found in continental crust.
Thickness:
- Continental crust is significantly thicker than oceanic crust.
- The average thickness of continental crust is around 35 kilometers, while oceanic crust is much thinner, with an average thickness of about 7 kilometers.
Age:
- Another difference is the age of the crust.
- Continental crust is generally older than oceanic crust.
- The oldest parts of the continental crust are around 4 billion years old, while the oldest parts of oceanic crust are around 200 million years old.
Continental Drift:
- The continental crust is also involved in the process of continental drift, where the continents move and change their positions over time.
- Oceanic crust, on the other hand, is constantly being created and destroyed at oceanic ridges and subduction zones.
Summary:
In summary, the continental crust is less dense, thicker, older, and primarily composed of less dense rocks like granite, while the oceanic crust is denser, thinner, younger, and mainly composed of basaltic rocks. The density difference is the main reason why continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
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How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of How is the continental crust different from oceanic crust?a)Mineral constituents of the continental mass are Silica andalumina, whereas that of oceanic crust is mainly ironb)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.c)Continental crust has a highly diverse composition of elementsin both fused and natural form, whereas oceanic crust is made from a single element onlyd)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an
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