Question

explain why the highest mountain on earth cannot be taller than 10 km​

Answer 1

Answer:

It is because mountain due to its own weight experiences a force on its bottom.The bottom of the mountain experiences this force in vertical direction and sides of mountain are free hence a shearing strain is developed there.

Force per unit area on base of mountain=pgh

where p=density of material of mountain=3×10^3 kg/m^3

g=acceleration due to gravity=10

Assuming elastic limit of mountain material=30×10^7

Equating pgh=30×10^7

We get h=10000 m. = 10km