Why do scientist refer to Earth's mantle as a plastic?
A) The mantle has the properties of a solid, but can flow under pressure.
B) The mantle has the mixed properties of a solid and a liquid.
C) The mantle frequently shifts between its states of matter.
D) The mantle is a softer solid as it approaches the core.
E) The mantle has the properties of a liquid, but is limited in its movement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mantle is referred to as plastic because it behaves like a solid in that it maintains its shape under normal conditions, but it can also flow very slowly under pressure, much like a plastic material would. This allows for processes like convection to occur within the mantle, which is crucial for plate tectonics.

Why Do Scientist Refer to Earth's Mantle as a Plastic