Concept explainers
Whether present-day continents are a permanent feature on our planet.
Answer to Problem 6TE
The present-day continents are not a permanent feature on our planet.
Explanation of Solution
According to plate tectonics theory, the Earth's crust is in constant movement and rearrangement. What we see under an ocean at present could be a high plain a million years from now. Also, it might have been a mountain top millions of years ago. Again there are volcanoes that could form and fill in basins and earthquakes that could split the Earth or push it back together. Or even rock slides change the shape of the Earth.
All these phenomena make changes in the Earth lithosphere that would further result in gradual changes in the Earth. This makes the present-day continents a temporary feature on our planet. As the continents themselves will always exist, they have previously and are currently shifting and making new shapes and moving through the shifting of the tectonic plates under the Earth
Conclusion:
Therefore, present-day continents are not a permanent feature on our planet.
Chapter 27 Solutions
Conceptual Physical Science Explorations
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Essential University Physics: Volume 2 (3rd Edition)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (4th Edition)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)
Applied Physics (11th Edition)
Glencoe Physical Science 2012 Student Edition (Glencoe Science) (McGraw-Hill Education)
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics (14th Edition)PhysicsISBN:9780133969290Author:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. FreedmanPublisher:PEARSONIntroduction To Quantum MechanicsPhysicsISBN:9781107189638Author:Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Physics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningLecture- Tutorials for Introductory AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9780321820464Author:Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina BrissendenPublisher:Addison-WesleyCollege Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio...PhysicsISBN:9780134609034Author:Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart FieldPublisher:PEARSON