Download Falcon Focus - Darlington Middle School

FALCON FOCUS
ON YOUR OWN… Search for the 6 differences between
the two pictures.
Falcon Focus
.
Answer the questions on the Falcon Focus sheet you picked up.
1. Label the layers of the Earth based on the picture
2. Describe how density changes as you move further
down into the Earth.
Crust
Position: Outermost layer
Density: Least dense
layer of all
2 types of crust:
Oceanic: thinner,
more dense
Continental: less
dense
Crust continued…
Composition:
Solid rock
Made mostly of Silicon & Oxygen
Oceanic Crust = Basalt
Continental Crust = Granite
Lithosphere
Position: Part of the crust that is on the top of
the mantle
Features: Broken into pieces called Tectonic
Plates
Asthenosphere
Position: Top portion of the Mantle
Features: Contains Convection Currents
Mantle
Position: Middle Layer
Features: Thickest Layer
Density: Density increases with pressure the deeper you
go into the Mantle
Composition:
Hot, softened rock
Contains Iron and
Magnesium
Outer Core
Position: Outer part of the core
Density: Very dense, only less dense than Inner Core
Composition:
Slow-flowing liquid
Mostly Iron and Nickel
Inner Core
Position: Deepest layer
Density: Most dense layer
Composition:
A spinning solid
Mostly Iron and Nickel
If we can’t reach the Mantle, how do we know
what it’s made of??
Scientist track seismic waves (these come from
Earthquakes) through the earth’s layers and
they examine materials ejected from volcanic
activity, which have helped scientists discover
what the MANTLE is made of.
Most lava that comes from volcanoes is actually
just melted crust and is not material from the
mantle and/or the core.
So what about the Inner Core and Outer Core?
Scientists know what the inner and outer core are
made of (composition) based on the movement of
seismic waves through the layers.
Why is the Inner Core solid??
Even though it is really hot, the weight of all of the other
materials above it (crust, mantle, and outer core) put a lot
of pressure on the inner core, keeping it solid!
Why does the Earth have a Magnetic Field??
The magnetic field is caused by the movement of the
inner (spinning) and outer core (flowing liquid).
Exit Ticket
3-2-1 Reflection on your notes paper