Answer to Question #220487 in Physical Chemistry for Red

Question

List three trace elements that are concentrated in the Earth's crust relative to the mantle, and explain why.      

Answer 1

In terms of its constituent elements, the mantle is made up of 44.8% oxygen, 21.5% silicon, and 22.8% magnesium.

These elements are all bound together in the form of silicate rocks, all of which take the form of oxides. The most common is Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) at 48%, followed by Magnesium Oxide (MgO) at 37.8%.