Quiz on Earth's Interior Layers

Look at the model of Earth’s interior. How would you label each of Earth’s layers, starting with the innermost layer of Earth and moving toward the outermost layer?

• Outer core; inner core; crust; mantle

• Crust; mantle; inner core; outer core

• Mantle; crust; outer core; inner core

• Inner core; outer core; mantle; crust

Mountains on Earth can be extremely tall, some reaching over 8 kilometers high. Which best describes the layer of Earth where mountains are found?

• Mountains are found in Earth’s mantle, which is the thickest layer of Earth with the most moderate temperatures.

• Mountains are found on Earth’s crust, which is the thickest layer of Earth with the coolest temperatures.

• Mountains are found on Earth’s mantle, which is the thinnest layer with an average temperature of 1000°C (1832°F).

Eduard builds a model of Earth’s layers. His model is composed of two thin layers, approximately 1.25 cm thick each, that represent Earth’s crust and mantle. It then has one thick layer, approximately 4 cm thick, to represent Earth’s outer core. Finally, it has a solid metal ball to represent Earth’s inner core. How should Eduard modify his model to accurately represent Earth’s layers?

• Eduard does not need to modify his model because it is already accurate.

• Eduard should make the layer that represents Earth’s crust thicker.

• Eduard should make the mantle thicker than all the other layers.

• Eduard should replace the solid metal ball with clay to better represent the inner core’s composition.

Look at the image. The hot springs in this image are most likely heated by ________. This layer of Earth is ________. Which correctly completes the paragraph?

• magma in the mantle; approximately 3,000 kilometers thick and is made mostly of iron, magnesium, and silicon. It is dense, hot, and semi-solid.

• hot metals in Earth’s inner core; a solid metal ball with a radius of 1,220 kilometers. It is extremely dense and made mostly of iron and nickel.

• magma in the mantle; a solid metal ball with a radius of 1,220 kilometers. It is extremely dense and made mostly of iron and nickel.

• hot metals in Earth’s inner core; approximately 3,000 kilometers thick and is made mostly of iron, magnesium, and silicon. It is dense, hot, and semi-solid.

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Geologists use technology such as seismic waves to study Earth’s interior, but imagine if you were able to take an actual trip to the center of Earth. Describe the various layers you would encounter as you move deeper through Earth’s layers. Your description should include information comparing the relative thickness and temperature of each layer.

Look at the image. Consider the activity of human beings on Earth. Which statement is true regarding humans and our relationship with Earth’s spheres?

• Humans are part of the biosphere. They do not affect other spheres because spheres do not interact.

• Humans are part of the geosphere. They can affect the geosphere by reducing pollution through recycling.

• Humans are part of the biosphere. They can only affect the geosphere since that is the part of Earth where humans live.

• Humans are part of the biosphere. They can affect the atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere by reducing pollution through recycling.

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Which best describes the components of the geosphere?

• Gases that form Earth’s outermost layers

• All the solid material of Earth, from sand on the beach to heavy metals in Earth’s core

• All of the living things on Earth, including plants and animals

• All of Earth’s water, including oceans, glaciers, lakes, and rivers

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Which of the following best describes the composition of Earth’s atmosphere?

• A mixture containing only oxygen and nitrogen gases

• All of the water vapor found in clouds

• A mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, dust, and water vapor

• A mixture of dust particles and carbon dioxide

The image shows a snowy mountain range. Choose the option that identifies the correct terms, in order of appearance in the sentences. The snow and ice in the image are components of Earth’s ________, whereas the mountains are components of Earth’s ________.

• hydrosphere; geosphere

• hydrosphere; biosphere

• atmosphere; geosphere

• atmosphere; biosphere

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Look at the image of the buffalo. Identify three of Earth’s spheres shown in the image and describe the components of each sphere.

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