Download A Core Sample of Planet Earth I

Name______________________________________ Date__________________ Period__________
Lab Activity: A Core Sample of Planet Earth
In this lab you will be creating a core sample of the Earth that shows the layers of Earth’s interior
drawn to scale. In our model, one centimeter will be equal to 100 km. For example, the radius of
the inner core is 1,220 km. In our model, that layer will be drawn with a thickness of 12.2 cm
(1,220 ÷ 100).
1. Calculate the thickness of each layer for our model.
Layer
Approx. thickness (km)
Inner core
1,220 km
Outer core
2,250 km
Mesosphere (lower mantle)
2,710 km
Asthenosphere
100 km
Lithosphere (crust + uppermost mantle)
100 km
Atmosphere (gases surrounding Earth)
620 km
Total
7000 km
Scale for model (cm)
2. Use the total scale for model to determine how long your strip of paper needs to be for your
model. Please verify this length with your teacher before you cut.
3. Use the Scale for model in the table above to draw the boundary lines between layers. Check
them twice and then go over the lines with black colored pencil.
4. Neatly (and with correct spelling), label each layer.
5. Use the ESRT to find the density range for each layer and write it by each label.
6. Use pages 391-392 in your book to put a very brief description of the composition/structure of
each layer. Write words or phrases (not sentences). Include whether it is mostly rock or metal,
the state of matter, and other important qualities (such as “rigid” for lithosphere and “weak,
soft, flowing” for asthenosphere).
7. Use the ESRT to find the approximate temperatures for each end of the layers and write them
in as a range. For example, the outer core is approximately 2,900°C at its outermost boundary
and 5,100°C at its innermost boundary so the range is 2,900°C to 5,100°C.
8. After all information has been written on your scale model, lightly and neatly shade the layers
lightly with colored pencil according to the chart below.
Layer
Lightly shade this color
Inner Core
Brown
Outer Core
Red
Mesosphere
Orange
Asthenosphere
Yellow
Lithosphere
Green
Atmosphere
Light blue
On a piece of notebook paper, please answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. List the layers of Earth from least dense to most dense. Is there a pattern between the density
values and physical order of the layers? Explain this.
2. Is the lithosphere exactly 100km thick at all points around the Earth? Why or why not?
3. Is this a good model of the inside of the Earth? What are its strengths as a model? What are
its weaknesses?