Earth's Formation

Front

What are S waves?

Back

S waves, or secondary waves, are seismic waves that are slower than primary waves and can only travel through solid materials.

Front

Which layer of the Earth makes up the least amount of its mass?

Back

The crust is the layer of the Earth that makes up the least amount of its mass.

Front

What is the composition of the mantle?

Back

The mantle is made of solid, yet flowing rock (plastic-like rock), which allows for active convection currents.

Front

What property of matter causes planetary differentiation?

Back

Density is the property of matter that causes planetary differentiation, leading to the separation of materials based on their density.

Front

Which Earth layer is the thickest?

Back

The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth in terms of thickness.

Front

What are primary waves?

Back

Primary waves, or P waves, are seismic waves that are faster than S waves and can travel through both solid and liquid materials.

Front

What is the outer core primarily made of?

Back

The outer core is primarily made of liquid iron and nickel.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the process of heat transfer through the movement of fluids, which occurs in the mantle of the Earth.

Front

What is the inner core?

Back

The inner core is the solid innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel.

Front

How does the density of materials affect their position in the Earth?

Back

Materials with higher density sink towards the center of the Earth, while less dense materials rise to the surface.