Chemical and Mechanical Layers of the Earth

Earth's Layers

Use this lesson to study for today's quiz (10 questions, all multiple choice)

Chemical (compositional) vs physical (mechanical)

Methods of examining the layers of the Earth

Chemical (compositional)

This is how to look at the Layers based on what each layer is actually made out of. Crust is light, less dense rock. Mantle is mostly silicate rocks, rich in magnesium and iron. The core is iron and nickel.

Multiple Choice

Which layer is the densest/heaviest?

• core

• mantle

• crust

Multiple Choice

Which chemical layer is made of molten silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron?

• mantle

• core

• crust

Physical (mechanical) Layers

This is HOW the layers work. Lithosphere is the hard, rocky outer layer. Asthenosphere is the upper mantle that is slow moving due to convection. The Mesosphere is the hot middle part of earth that has massive convection currents. Outer Core is semi-liquid iron & nickel. Inner core is solid nickel & iron.

Multiple Choice

The outer core is responsible for the...

• magnetosphere

• solar wind

• volcanoes and earthquakes

Multiple Choice

"litho" means

• rock

• weak

• dense

• heavy

Multiple Choice

"astheno" means

• weak

• rock

• heavy

• dense

Multiple Choice

which layer is the hottest?

• inner core

• mantle

• crust

• asthenosphere

Multiple Choice

which layer is the lightest (least dense)?

• lithosphere

• mantle

• core

• mesosphere

Multiple Choice

which layer is under the most pressure?

• inner core

• outer core

• mesosphere

• crust

Multiple Choice

where does the heat in the mantle come from?

• the earths core

• the earths crust

Multiple Choice

True or false "hot rock rises, cooler rocks sink down"

• true

• false