To determine the temperature gradient between two points, you need to follow these steps:
1. Identify the temperature at each point. For this problem, the temperature at point A is 60°C, and the temperature at point B is 55°C.
2. Note the distance between the two points. In this problem, point A and point B are 50 meters apart.
3. Calculate the difference in temperatures between the two points. The difference in temperature is:
[tex]\[
\Delta T = T_A - T_B = 60°C - 55°C = 5°C
\][/tex]
4. Divide the temperature difference by the distance to determine the temperature gradient. The formula for the temperature gradient ([tex]\(G\)[/tex]) is:
[tex]\[
G = \frac{\Delta T}{\text{distance}} = \frac{5°C}{50 \text{ meters}} = 0.1 \text{ °C/m}
\][/tex]
Therefore, the temperature gradient between points A and B is 0.1°C per meter.
Lastly, if the mantle and the crust were closer to each other while keeping other conditions constant, the distance over which the temperature change occurs would decrease. This would increase the temperature gradient, meaning the rate of temperature change over distance would be higher.
