Download Plate Tectonics and Earth`s Interior

Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Interior
Integrated Science 4
5/10
Name:
Per:
Procedures and Data
1. Look over the data presented below:
Layer
Depth below
surface (km)
Temperature
(C))
Pressure
(millions
of atm)
Density
(g per cm3)
Composition
% of
Earth’s
mass
State of
matter
6378-5150
6500-6300
3.8-3.2
13.0-12.7
Fe
1.7
Solid
5150-2890
6300-5000
3.2-1.5
12.7-9.9
Fe, Ni
30.8
Liquid
2890-650
5000-2500
1.5-.4
9.9-3.3
Si, Mg, O, Fe, Al
49.2
650-50
2500-500
.4-.1
3.3-3.0
Si, Mg, O, Fe, Al
17.8
50-0
500 and less
.1 and less
3.0 and less
Si, Mg, O, Fe, Al,
Na, K
.4
Inner core
Outer core
Lower mantle
Upper mantle
(asthenosphere)
Crust
(lithosphere)
Solid
(plastic-like)
Liquid
(plastic-like)
Solid
(brittle)
2. Visual Representation: Using information from the data table above, create a drawing of a quarter section of
the earth’s interior. On the drawing, label the layers, chemical composition, % of Earth’s mass and state of
matter.
Earth’s Surface
Earth’s Interior
Earth’s Surface
Graphical Representation: Using the information in the data table above, use the grids to construct two graphs to
represent:
a. the relationship between depth and temperature of the outer boundary of each layer of the earth.
b. the relationship between depth and pressure of the outer boundary of each layer of the earth.
Title each graph and label all axes, including relevant units. On each graph draw a dashed vertical line at the
appropriate depth to identify where each layer begins.
Discussion
Read pages 623- 629 in your Integrated Science textbook. Answer the questions below.
1.
Consider the graphs and data table above. How do the physical properties of the earth’s interior (temperature,
pressure and density) change from the core to the surface?
2.
Describe how seismic waves are used by scientists to determine the structure and composition of the earth’s interior.
3.
Define convection. What layers of the earth are convective? How does this process work?
4.
How can our understanding of the earth’s interior help us better understand island formation?