When Convection takes place in the mantle, why does cooler material sink, when warmer material rises?

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When Convection takes place in the mantle, why does cooler material sink, when warmer material rises?

2007-10-09 09:08:17 · 1 answers · asked by evie™ 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology

1 answers

Because when material warms, it expands and becomes less dense. Because of gravity, denser material sinks (if it's free to do so) and displaces the lighter material, which rises.

Presto! Convection!

2007-10-09 09:33:56 · answer #1 · answered by skeptik 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋