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Name________________________________________ Period___________
Chapter 2: Section 1: Directed Reading Pages 27- 30
Section: Earth: A Unique Planet
(page 27)
1. List three reasons that Earth is unique.
EARTH BASICS
(page 27)
Use the terms from the list below to complete the sentences that follow. Each term
may be used only once. Some terms may not be used.
Rock ellipse
radius points
oblate spheroid
diameter
global ocean
mountains
Earth
2. The third planet from the sun in our solar system is _________________________.
3. Formed about 4.6 billion years ago, Earth is made mostly of _____________________.
4. About 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered with water, called the __________________.
5. Earth appears to be a perfect circle, but it is actually a slightly flattened sphere called an ______________.
6. Earth’s surface is relatively smooth; that is, the distance between Earth’s high and low _______________
are small relative to its size.
7. Earth’s average ________________ is 12,756 km.
EARTH’S INTERIOR
(page 28)
In the space provided, write the letter of the definition that best matches the term or phrase.
______ 8. crust
a. the solid, outer layer of Earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the
______ 9. oceanic crust
b. the central part of Earth below the mantle
mantle
______ 10. continental crust c. the strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core
______ 11. Moho
d. the thin, solid, outermost layer of Earth above the mantle
______ 12. mantle
e. the crust beneath the oceans
______ 13. core
f. the lower boundary of the crust
______ 14. lithosphere
g. the layer of rock between Earth’s crust and core
______ 15. asthenosphere
h. the crust that makes up the continents
______ 16. plasticity
i. the solid, plastic layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere; made of mantle rock that
flows very slowly, which allows tectonic plates to move on top of it
______ 17. mesosphere
j. a dense liquid below the mantle
______ 18. outer core
k. the ability of a solid to flow
EARTH’S GRAVITY (page 30)
19. Define gravity
Name ___________________________ Period ______
Chapter 2 Section 1 Review Page 30
1.
2.
Define the size and shape of Earth.
Describe two characteristics that make Earth unique in our
system.
3.
Summarize how scientists learn about Earth’s interior.
4.
Identify the possible source of Earth’s magnetic field.
5.
Summarize Newton’s law of gravitation.
6.
What does the difference between your weight at the equator
your weight at the poles suggest about the shape of Earth?
7.
solar
and
How does the asthenosphere differ from the mesosphere?
8.
Why would you weigh less on a high mountain peak than you would
at sea level?