In which area of Earth's interior is the pressure most likely to be 2.5 million atmospheres?

• asthenosphere

• stiffer mantle

• inner core

• outer core

Which statement best describes Earth's crust and mantle?

• the crust is thicker and less dense than the mantle

• the crust is thicker and more dense than the mantle

• the crust is thinner and less dense than the mantle

• the crust is thinner and more dense than the mantle

The diagram shows spheres associated with Earth. Which spheres are zones of Earth's atmosphere?

• lithosphere, hydrosphere and troposphere

• stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere

• asthenosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere

• hydrosphere, troposphere and stratosphere

The actual temperature at the boundary between the stiffer mantle and the outer core is estimated to be approximately

• 1.5^oC

• 250^oC

• 3000^oC

• 5000^oC

Compared to oceanic crust, continental crust is generally

• older and thinner

• older and thicker

• younger and thinner

• younger and thicker

The graph shows the percent by mass of elements of Earth's crust. Each letter on the graph represents an element. Which elements are represented by the letters a and b, respectively?

• aluminum and iron

• calcium and nitrogen

• potassium and sodium

• oxygen and silicon

From the top of the stiffer mantle to the center of Earth, the rock material is inferred to be

• solid all the way to the center of the inner core

• solid, then liquid to the center of the inner core

• solid, then liquid, then solid again to the center of the inner core

• solid, then liquid, then gaseous to the center of the inner core

At which depth below Earth's surface is the density most likely 9.5 grams per cubic centimeter?

• 1,500 km

• 2,000 km

• 3,500 km

• 6,000 km

Base your answer on the diagram, which shows a portion of Earth's interior. Point A is a location on the interface between layers. The arrows shown in the asthenosphere represent the inferred slow circulation of the plastic mantle by a process called

• insolation

• convection

• conduction

• radiation

Most inferences about the characteristics of Earth's mantle and core are based on

• the behavior of seismic waves in Earth's interior

• well drillings from Earth's mantle and core

• chemical changes in exposed and weathered metamorphic rocks

• comparisons between Moon rocks and Earth rocks