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WorksheetsEarth's Dynamic Interior
Total questions: 28
Worksheet time: 14mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Crustal plate movement occurs because the Earth's mantle flows as a result of uneven heating inside the mantle. Convection cells are created by very hot material deep in the mantle rising, then cooling, sinking again, and then heating again and then repeating the cycle. This process occurs because of the energy generated by _________________ within the Earth.
a)
differences in densities
b)
solar radiation
c)
radioactive decay of elements
d)
plate convergence
2.
A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave and/or cloud of magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. In September, 1859, the largest recorded geomagnetic storm occurred. A massive coronal mass ejection was launched from the Sun and reached the Earth within eighteen hours, Telegraph wires in both the United States and Europe experienced induced voltage increases, in some cases igniting fires. Consider the text in the prompt and elaborate on the effects of a geomagnetic storm on the scale of the solar storm of 1859 if it were to happen today.
a)
Geomagnetic storms and increased solar ultraviolet emissions heat Earth's upper atmosphere, causing it to expand. We would experience catastrophic weather events.
b)
It would cause damage to satellites, power grids and radio communications, and could cause electrical blackouts on a massive scale.
c)
The geomagnetic storms would interfere with Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields, causing shifts in Earth's crustal plates.
d)
Today we have the technology to stop the interference of solar winds on technology so little would happen on Earth.
3.
Consider the layers of the Earth seen here. What layer would you find these elements?
46.6% Oxygen (O) 27.7% Silicon (Si) 8.1% Aluminum (Al) 5.0% Iron (Fe) 3.6% Calcium (Ca) 2.8% Sodium (Na) 2.6% Potassium (K) 2.1% Magnesium (Mg)
46.6% Oxygen (O) 27.7% Silicon (Si) 8.1% Aluminum (Al) 5.0% Iron (Fe) 3.6% Calcium (Ca) 2.8% Sodium (Na) 2.6% Potassium (K) 2.1% Magnesium (Mg)
a)
atmosphere
b)
crust
c)
mantle
d)
core
4.
Based on the model, what fact or facts would you select to support the hypothesis that the Earth is not homogenous (all the same) within? All BUT ONE is a supporting fact.
a)
The travel velocity of the two earthquake wave types is not the same: P-waves are faster than S-waves.
b)
The outer core is presumed to be liquid because it does not transmit shear (S) waves.
c)
All waves change direction (refract) when they pass through layers of different density. Seismic waves refract.
d)
The speed of the waves is modified at different locations within the Earth.
5.
Scientists have theorized that Earth's outer core is a molten liquid because
a)
all seismic waves are refracted at the depth of the outer core.
b)
P or primary waves disappear into the Earth's interior and do not resurface.
c)
S or Secondary waves pass through the center of Earth while primary waves do not.
d)
of the lack of S or secondary waves in the shadow zone.
6.
The Earth exhibits a magnetic field that reaches above our atmosphere. For a magnetic field to exist, either a permanent magnet must be in the Earth's interior, or ionized molecules are moving in a liquid medium in the Earth's interior. A permanent magnet cannot exist in the Earth's interior due to the high temperatures deep in the Earth. The presence of Earth's magnetic field tells scientists that
a)
the magnetic field is produced by ionized iron moving about in the Earth's liquid outer core.
b)
) the inner core must be made of a mixture of metals that can melt at high temperatures and release electrons.
c)
the elements within Earth's inner and outer core must be hot enough to turn to plasma and ionize.
d)
the mass of Earth's core is much greater than the other layers of Earth.
7.
Inside the earth, near its core, there is a flowing mass of molten ____________ called the outer core. The movement of this liquid metal, both laterally and up and down, causes the earth's crust to shift, as part of the plate tectonics process.
a)
silver
b)
lava
c)
iron
d)
fire
8.
ALL BUT ONE factor is believed to be the source of Earth's internal heat energy. That is
a)
gravitational contraction of Earth's interior.
b)
extraterrestrial impacts.
c)
radioactive decay of isotopes.
d)
convection cells.
9.
The core is the deepest and hottest layer of the Earth. It is made almost entirely of metal. The core is made of two layers: the outer core, and the inner core. The inner core is made mostly of iron. The iron core is extremely hot—between 5,000 and 7,000 degrees Celsius and
a)
rises up through the other layers of Earth to become the magma of volcanoes.
b)
fluctuates between solid and liquid, depending on the temperature.
c)
the pressure there is so great that it cannot melt and it is solid.
d)
is a molten mass of magma, much like the mantle.
10.
How are the crust and the inner core ALIKE?
a)
They both have the same temperature.
b)
They are both under the same pressure.
c)
They are both very close to the center of the Earth.
d)
They are both solid.
11.
Earth's layers formed as result of differentiation. During differentiation, different zones of elements form layers and today we know these layers are made up of different elements. Certain elements sunk to the center while others collected near the surface. We might predict that the __________ elements, like iron and nickel, formed the core.
a)
first crystallized
b)
more dense
c)
least dense
d)
light weight
12.
Which layer is broken up into several plates which "move and float very slowly? Their very slow motion is the cause of plate tectonics, a process associated with continental drift, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the formation of mountains.
a)
lithosphere
b)
asthenosphere
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
13.
This layer of Earth is thought to be a solid, iron-rich zone.
a)
lithosphere
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
14.
The Earth's mantle is DIFFERENT from the outer core because the mantle is
a)
next to the inner core.
b)
farther from the crust.
c)
closer to the center of the Earth.
d)
closer to the surface of the Earth.
15.
Earth’s mantle is made of a dense thick material that allows movement of crustal plates. Crustal plate movement occurs because the mantle flows as a result of uneven heating inside the mantle. ____________________ are created by very hot material deep in the mantle rising, then cooling, sinking again, and then heating again and then repeating the cycle.
a)
convection currents
b)
convection waves
c)
magma currents
d)
magma flows
16.
Which BEST describes how we know about the main layers of the earth?
a)
Deep sea drilling has shown the evolution of basins by core drilling of ocean sediments and oceanic crust.
b)
The composition of lava extruded from volcanoes has given insight into the composition of the core.
c)
The development of SONAR mapping has given a clear picture of the depth of earth’s layers.
d)
Seismic waves will bend and reflect at the interfaces between the layers of the earth.
17.
Which BEST describes the physical properties of the Earth’s core?
a)
a solid lower part and a liquid upper part
b)
contains volcanic, sedimentary and granitic rocks
c)
water and organic substances
d)
semi-molten
18.
Which layer of the earth contains granite and basalt in the GREATEST abundance?
a)
crust
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
19.
The Earth exhibits a magnetic field that reaches above our atmosphere. Earth has a solid inner core and surrounding this is the outer core, a 2,000 km thick core that is fluid. Differences in temperature, pressure and composition within the outer core cause convection currents in the liquid as cool, dense matter sinks whilst warm, less dense matter rises. The Coriolis force, resulting from the Earth’s spin, also causes swirling whirlpools. This movement of ions generates electric currents, which in turn produce magnetic fields. Because of this we know that the outer core must be composed of
a)
lead and mercury.
b)
plasma.
c)
iron and nickel.
d)
nickel and lead.
20.
Which layer of Earth is the warmest?
a)
crust
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
21.
The convection in the Earth's mantle is powered by heat from which part of the Earth?
a)
crust
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
22.
S-waves are transverse waves generated by earthquakes. These do not travel through liquids. Because of this, scientists have inferred that the ___________ of the Earth is liquid.
a)
crust
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
23.
The convection cycles of mantle are the main cause of movement of what part of the Earth?
a)
crust
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
24.
What type of wave cannot travel through the earth’s liquid core?
a)
L-waves
b)
R-waves
c)
S-waves
d)
P-waves
25.
Which of these pieces of evidence did NOT help in the development of the theory of plate tectonics?
a)
The outlines of the different continents look like they could fit together like puzzle pieces.
b)
Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur along distinct lines around the world.
c)
No mountains in the world are increasing in size.
d)
Similar fossil evidence has been found on continents separated by great distances.
26.
How does the density of the Earth’s core compare to the other layers of the Earth?
a)
The core is the densest layer.
b)
The core is the least dense layer.
c)
The core is only less dense than the crust.
d)
The core is only less dense than the mantle.
27.
How is the crust DIFFERENT from the other layers of the Earth?
a)
It is hotter.
b)
It is under pressure.
c)
It is thinner.
d)
It is mostly liquid.
28.
currents in the Earth's mantle cause plate movement which causes earthquakes and volcanic activity.
a)
Convection
b)
Conduction
c)
Radiation
d)
Ocean
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