Layers of the Earth Convection

Layers of the Earth

We believe the Earth to be 4.6 Billions years old.
We know the Earth has layers because of the study of waves put off by earthquakes, called seismic waves.

Layers of the Earth

The 4 main layers of the earth are the Crust, Mantle, Outer Core and Inner Core

CRUST

CRUST - is the outermost and thinnest layer of the Earth (around 5 to 70 km deep).
Made up of mostly Silicon (Si) and Oxygen. (O)

CRUST There are TWO TYPES!

Oceanic Crust - the crust that lies beneath the ocean bed. Thinner, younger.

Continental Crust - the land. Older, thicker.

MANTLE

MANTLE is the thickest layer of the earth. The semi-liquid sort of like a malleable plastic (ooey-gooey) and makes up 84% of earth's volume.
Mostly made up of Iron (Fe) and Magnesium (Mg).

OUTER CORE

OUTER CORE - is located beneath the mantle (2,200 km thick). It is made up of hot, molten iron and nickel (up to 5,000°C). This layer spins as the planet rotates and creates Earth's magnetic field, which helps to protect us from the Sun's solar radiation.
Mostly Iron. (Fe)

INNER CORE

INNER CORE - is the deepest layer of the Earth. It’s about 1,230 to 1,530 km thick and can be as hot as the surface of the sun, about 5505 °C. Like the outer core, it is made up of iron and nickel, but due to high pressure, these metals remain solid. 

Multiple Choice

What is the thickest layer of the Earth?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

Multiple Choice

Type of crust that lies beneath the ocean bed.

• Continental Crust

• Oceanic Crust

• Pizza Crust

• Crusty Crab

Multiple Choice

Which layer is liquid?

• crust

• mantle

• outer core

• inner core

Multiple Choice

Which layer is the HOTTEST?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

Multiple Choice

What state of matter is the inner core?

• Solid

• Solid but flexible

• Liquid

Multiple Choice

The thinnest layer of the Earth is the ___________.

• mantle

• crust

• core

Multiple Choice

Why is the inner core solid?

• its unknown

• what it's made of

• the pressure

• it is colder than the outer core

Multiple Choice

According to scientific data, which layer of Earth is the thickest?

• Crust

• Inner Core

• Mantle

• Outer Core

Multiple Choice

What is the correct order (starting from the surface) of Earth's layers?

• crust, outer core, inner core, mantle
• mantle, outer core, inner core, crust
• crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
• outer core, inner core, crust, mantle

Multiple Choice

What is the best way scientists know about the structure of the earth?

• Volcano

• Oceanic

• Seismic Waves

• Lithosphere

​Hot water rises

​

Cool water sinks​

Convection Currents happen in the mantle

​Hot magma rises

​

Cool magma sinks​

Multiple Choice

The molten rock in the mantle becomes hotter and less dense near the...

• crust.

• core.

Multiple Choice

The molten rock in the mantle becomes cooler and more dense near the...

• crust.

• core.

Multiple Choice

Hotter, less dense magma near the core...

• rises.

• sinks.

Multiple Choice

Colder, more dense magma near the crust...

• rises.

• sinks.

Multiple Choice

What is the heat source for convection in the mantle?

• the Crust
• the Mantle
• the Core

Multiple Choice

What is the cooling source for convection in the mantle?

• the Crust
• the Mantle
• the Core

Multiple Choice

 Where do convection currents happen in the model we are studying?

• the Crust
• the Mantle
• the Core

Multiple Choice

When molten  material is heated in the mantle it becomes

• more dense
• less dense 

Multiple Choice

When molten  material is cooled in the mantle it becomes

• more dense
• less dense 

Multiple Choice

Molecules that are more dense than the surrounding particles will...

• rise up
• sink down
• stay put

Multiple Choice

Molecules that are less dense than the surrounding particles will...

• rise up
• sink down
• stay put

Multiple Choice

Convection currents occur due to...

• rotation of earth

• differences in temperature and density

• electrons moving

• gravitational pull

Multiple Choice

Name the type of heat transfer shown in the picture.

• convection

• conduction

• radiation