Download Earth Layers Study Guide

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Quiz Date: ____________________________________
Earth’s Layers Study Guide
Objectives
• E.SE.06.53 Describe the layers of the earth as a lithosphere (crust and upper mantle), convecting
mantle, and dense metallic core.
Know the following terms and be able to identify examples of each:
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Crust – the layer of rock that forms Earth’s outer surface
Lithosphere – a rigid, brittle rock layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and crust
Mantle – the layer of hot, solid material between Earth’s crust & core
Asthenosphere (convecting mantle) – the soft, solid rock layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere
floats; convection currents occur here
Outer core – a layer of liquid molten iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of the Earth
Inner core – a dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of the Earth
Core – the deepest & most massive layer of earth made of iron & nickel and consists of two parts called
the inner & outer cores.
Convection current – the movement of a fluid, caused by differences in temperature, that transfers
heat from one part of the fluid to another
Be able to identify where each layer above is located on the diagram below (*convection currents are not a
layer but know that they happen in a layer = the asthenosphere). You do not need to know their thicknesses.
Practice: Label the layers in the diagram below. Then, answer the questions that follow.
6. The crust and upper mantle together make up a zone of rigid, brittle rock called
___________________________________.
7. What is the state of matter in the mantle?
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8. Name two metals found in the outer core:
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9. The outer core is so hot that the metals in it are all in the
_________________________________________ state.
10. Why is the inner core a solid if it is the hottest layer? How is that possible?
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KEY – 1. Crust, 2. Lithosphere, 3. Mantle, 4. Outer Core, 5. Inner Core, 6. Lithosphere, 7. solid, 8. Iron & nickel,
9. liquid, 10. There is so much extreme pressure pushing down on it from all of the other layers