A geologist is studying the Earth's crust. Which two elements are most abundant in the crust?

• Aluminum and iron

• Calcium and silicon

• Oxygen and silicon

• Iron and calcium

Students are exploring the features of Earth's crust. Which TWO statements correctly describe the Earth’s crust?

• It is the thinnest layer of the Earth.

• It is completely uniform in thickness.

• It is divided into tectonic plates.

• It is mostly made of heavy metals.

• It is liquid but can move and change into a gas over time.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Students are examining the properties of the Earth's crust. Which statement describes the structure of the Earth's crust?

• The crust is one solid piece without any divisions.

• The crust is divided into large sections called tectonic plates.

• The crust is entirely made of liquid rock.

• The crust is uniform in thickness across the entire Earth.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

How do these structures in the crust contribute to changes on the Earth's surface?

• They prevent any changes from occurring on the Earth's surface.

• They cause the Earth's surface to remain completely stable.

• They allow for the formation of mountains and ocean basins.

• They make the Earth's surface smoother over time.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A student is learning about the mantle's role in Earth's heat distribution. Which statement correctly describes how the mantle's characteristics contribute to Earth's heat distribution?

• The mantle transfers heat primarily through conduction.

• The mantle's composition allows it to retain heat indefinitely.

• Temperature differences within the mantle drive convection currents.

• The mantle releases all of Earth's internal heat through volcanoes.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-4

The image below shows a section of Earth’s layers. The layer of Earth that is made up of liquid metal and ends about 5,155 km from Earth’s surface is the __________.

A probe records data while descending through Earth's layers. In the outer core, the probe detects high temperatures and liquid material. Which of the following features would the probe most likely observe in the outer core?

• Slow-moving solid rock with no heat flow

• Liquid iron and nickel moving in convection currents

• High-pressure solid iron forming tectonic plates

• Silicate rocks creating magnetic fields

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Rachel is preparing a report on Earth's layers and examines a detailed diagram that shows the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. Based on the diagram and her knowledge, which is the thickest layer, primarily composed of solid and molten rock?

• The crust, the central layer, is composed mainly of solid iron and nickel.

• The outer core, a liquid layer, is composed mostly of molten metals surrounding the solid central layer.

• The layer beneath the crust, the mantle, is characterized by solid and molten rock.

• The outermost shell, which is thin and solid, covers the entire planet.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Geologists use proportional models to represent the relative sizes of Earth's layers. Study the following diagram showing a to-scale model of Earth's layers. Which layer in this model most likely represents the inner core? Drag your answer into the box.

How does the cooling and solidifying of magma or lava play a role in the rock cycle?

• It forms water beneath the Earth's surface as magma cools slowly.

• It produces rocks transformed by heat and pressure within Earth's crust.

• It creates rocks through the crystallization of molten material, either above or below Earth's surface.

• It generates rocks from the accumulation and compression of mineral and organic particles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1