Layers of the Earth

Layers of the Earth

Interactive Lesson

Earth's Layers

• Earth is made up of layers.

• The materials that make up each layer have different properties.

• As you travel deeper into the Earth, the pressure and temperature increase.

• Scientists think about Earth's layers in two ways - in terms of their chemical composition and in terms of their physical properties.

Multiple Choice

What are the two ways scientists think about Earth's layers?

• Intrusive & Extrusive

• Clastic & Chemical

• Compositional & Mechanical

Multiple Choice

What happens to pressure and temperature as you the go deeper into the Earth?

• Decreases

• Increases

• Not change occurs.

Earth's Compositional Layers

Crust

• Outermost layer of Earth.

• Two types - oceanic and continental.

• Mostly made of the elements oxygen and silicon.

Mantle

• Region of hot, slow moving, solid rock.

• Convection currents occur here.

• More dense than the crust because it contains more magnesium.

Core

• Centermost part of Earth.

• The thickest compositional layer.

• Earth's densest layer.

• Mostly made of the elements iron and nickel.

Multiple Choice

Earth's thickest compositional layer?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

Multiple Choice

Earth's outermost compositional layer?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

Multiple Choice

Convection currents occur in which compositional layer?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

Multiple Choice

Which compositional layer is the centermost?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

Multiple Choice

Which compositional layer is the densest?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

Multiple Choice

What are the two types of crust?

• Asthenosphere and Mesosphere

• Lithosphere and Asthenosphere

• Oceanic and Continental

Multiple Choice

The region of Earth that has hot, slow moving, solid rock is found in which compositional layer?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

Multiple Choice

Which compositional layer is made mostly of iron and nickel?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

Earth's Mechanical/Structural Layers

Lithosphere

• Outermost rigid layer of Earth.

• Made up of the crust and the upper part of the mantle.

• Divided into pieces called tectonic plates.

Asthenosphere

• Upper part of the mantle that is made of semisolid rock.

• Flows slowly.

• Convection currents occur her causing tectonic plates to move.

Mesosphere

• Strong lower part of the mantle.

• Flows slower that the asthenosphere.

Outer Core

• Liquid layer of Earth's core.

• Surrounds the inner core.

• Made of liquid iron and nickel.

Inner Core

• Solid, dense center of Earth made of iron and nickel.

• Although the inner core is very hot, it is kept solid due to the great pressure of the layers above it.

• About 6,380 km below Earth's surface.

Multiple Choice

Convection currents occur in this mechanical layer causing tectonic plates to move?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

Mechanical layer that is the strong lower part of the mantle?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

Which mechanical layer is kept solid by extreme pressure even though it is very hot?

• Lithosphere

• Mesosphere

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

Multiple Choice

Which mechanical layer is made up of the crust and upper part of the mantle?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

The liquid mechanical layer that is part of the core?

• Lithosphere

• Mesosphere

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

Multiple Choice

Mechanical layer of the mantle that is made of semisolid rock that flows slowly?

• Lithosphere

• Astehnosphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

Mechanical layer that is divided into pieces called plates?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

Which mechanical layer surrounds the inner core?

• Lithosphere

• Mesosphere

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

Multiple Choice

Mechanical layer of the mantle that flows slower than the asthenosphere?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Mesosphere

Multiple Choice

Mechanical Layers: Which statement is true about the outer core and the inner core?

• Outer core is made of solid iron and nickel.

  Inner core is made of liquid iron and nickel.

• Outer core is made of liquid iron and nickel.

  Inner core is made of solid iron and nickel.

Layers of the Earth: Composition & Mechanical