In short, an acid is a compound that can give up a hydrogen ion (a proton, H+) in solution. A base is a compound that can accept a proton. If you're looking at chemical equations, the acid will be the compound with more hydrogen atoms.Usually, an acid is positively charged.n short, an acid is a compound that can give up a hydrogen ion (a proton, H+) in solution. A base is a compound that can accept a proton. If you're looking at chemical equations, the acid will be the compound with more hydrogen atoms.
The lithosphere is the brittle outer layer of the solid Earth. The plates of plate tectonics are segments of the lithosphere. Its top is easy to see -- it's at the Earth's surface -- but the base of the lithosphere is in a transition, which is an active area of research.
There are two types of lithosphere: oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is associated with oceanic crust, and is slightly denser than continental lithosphere. Continental lithosphere, associated with continental crust, can be much, much thicker than its oceanic cousin, stretching more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) below Earthâs surface.