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The Structure of the Earth
The Structure of the Earth
The Earth is sphere with a diameter of about 12,700 kilometres. The deeper we go into the earth the higher the temperature and the greater the pressure. Scientists believe the core temperature is about 5000o C.
Apple Demonstration.
Cut an apple horizontally
The skin represents the crust
The pulp represents the mantle
The core represents the core
Use the information below and label the parts of the earth. If you read through the notes carefully you will find some useful information.
Make a few notes about each layer.
The earth's crust is made up of the continental crust and the oceanic crust which lies beneath the seas.
Please label the drawing below so you know which is which.
Structure of the Earth Worksheet
The Earths Interior
The Earths Interior
The crust is about 30 km thick - (from about the Sky tower to Papakura)
The mantle is approximately 2900 km thick - (from Auckland to Melbourne)
The core is divided into part – the outer core - liquid iron and silicates
- the inner core - solid iron
(the outer core is about 2300 km thick - (Auckland to Sydney)
The Earth's True Shape
The Earth's True Shape
The Earth is not a perfect sphere. Due to it's rotation, the Earth (like all rotating planets) has a slightly distorted shape. The rotational momentum tends to force the matter to bunch up in the middle. In the case of the Earth, this "middle" is the equator.
The Structure Of The Earth
The Structure Of The Earth
The Earth is almost a sphere (ball). It is slightly flattened at the two poles. This is due to the spinning of the earth – rotation
The earth is made up of a number of different layers.
We are the third planet from the Sun and we call this planet, home. As far as the scientists know Earth is the only known planet where life can survive.
Had it not been for a very narrow temperature range, we would not have water in liquid form. Without the liquid water life would not be possible.
The Core
The Core
1. The core is about 7 000 km thick. This is the centre of the earth.
2. There is an inner core which is about 1220 km thick and is made up mainly of two metals, iron and nickel.
3. The outer core is approximately 2250 km thick
The Mantle
The Mantle
1. The mantle which surrounds the core and has a thickness of about 2900 km.
2. The mantle is made up of different layers, the upper mantle (about 670 km thick)
3. The lower mantle is approximately 2230 km thick
4. The mantle is made of a thick solid rocky substance that represents about 85% of the total mass of the Earth.
5. The first 75 km is believed to be made from very hard rock.
6. The next 200 km is believed to be super-heated solid rock that is weak.
7. The rest of the mantle, according to scientists is made up of hard solid rock once again.
The crust
The crust
1. The crust is about 100 km thick. This does vary in places.
2. The first layer of the crust is made up of rock and loose materials.
3. The crust floats on top of the mantle.
4. It is made up of the oceanic crust and continental crust.
5. Underneath the continents the crust is almost three times as thick as it is under the oceans
6. Both crusts are not as dense as the mantle and core rock material.
7. The thicker continental crust is made up of granite
8. The thinner oceanic crust is made up of basalt
9. Both crusts are made up of many tectonic plates
Experiments
Experiments
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