Inside Earth (pp. 16 – 24)
Section 1.1
Definitions
Geologist
Scientists who study the forces that make and shape the planet earth
Continent
A great landmass surrounded by oceans
Seismic Waves
A vibration that travels through earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake
Inside Earth (pp. 16 – 24)
Section 1.1
This diagram represents the inside of the earth.
Blue represents water and brown represents rock and soil.
Crust
Lithosphere

Athenosphere
A
Word Bank
Mantle
Asthenosphere
Lithosphere
Outer Core
Inner Core
Outer Core
Inner Core
Mantle
Crust
Inside Earth (pp. 16 – 24)
Section 1.1
Fill in the Blank
1. As you get closer to the center of the earth, the pressure _____increases___________________
and the temperature ______________________ increases_____________.
2. The three main layers of the earth’s interior are the __________crust_______, the
_________mantle________, and the ___________core___________.
3. Ocean crust is most commonly composed of a rock called _____basalt______ whereas
continental crust is most commonly composed of a rock called ____granite_______.
4. Ocean crust is ______thinner________________ (thicker or thinner) than continental crust.
Matching
Match the layer of the earth with the description.
_______E____________ inner core
A. thinnest earth layer
________B___________ outer core
B. thick,extremely hot molten metal
________F_____________ mantle
C. rigid layer of the mantle
________D____________ asthenosphere
D. soft, slowly flowing layer of the mantle
________C____________ lithosphere
E. solid metal
________A_____________ crust
F. layer with the greatest volume, made
out of hot rocks.
Inside Earth (pp. 16 – 24)
Section 1.1
Matching
Match the chemicals with the layer of the earth in which it can be found. Several of the
answers are used more than once.
1.
Crust ___A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
________
2. Mantle ___A, B, C, D_________________________
3. Core _______C, H_____________________________
Discussion
A. Oxygen
B. Silicon
C. Iron
D. Magnesium
E. Calcium
F. Aluminum
G. Potassium
H. Nickel
1. What are two major differences between the continental crust and oceanic crust?
Oceanic crust is mostly made of basalt. Continental crust is mostly made of granite.
Oceanic crust is thinner than continental crust.
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust.
2. What happens in the earth’s interior to produce the earth’s magnetic field?
Currents in the liquid outer core force the solid inner core to spin. The inner core spins faster
than the rest of the planet. It is a solid iron/nickel ball spinning rapidly in the center of the
earth. This movement causes the earth’s magnetic field.
Inside Earth (pp. 25 – 27)
Section 1.2
Definitions:
Heat Transfer
The movement of energy from a warmer object to a cooler object
Radiation
The transfer of energy through empty space
Conduction
Heat transfer by direct contact
Convection
Heat transfer by movement of a heated fluid
Density
A measure of how much mass there is in a volume of a substance
Mass/volume
g/mL
Convection Current
A flow that transfers heat within a fluid.
Inside Earth (pp. 25 – 27)
Section 1.2
This is a diagram of the mantle of the earth. Draw the convection currents
that occur in the mantle. Be careful to draw them in the correct part of the
mantle! (this illustration is found on page 27. Be careful that the arrows go
the correct direction and that they are only found in the correct layer! The
illustration only shows one side of the earth, but this illustration should be
marked around the entire circle.)
Inside Earth (pp. 25 – 27)
Section 1.2
Matching (Each word has two or more choices that match.)
________B, D, G_____ radiation
A. ice melting in your hand
B. heat from the sun
_______A, C, I_______ conduction
C. touching a stove and getting burned
D. the heat you feel from a campfire a few feet away
________E, F, H________ convection
E. the mixing of air in the atmosphere caused
by warm air rising and cool air falling.
F. spaghetti boiling on the stove rises and falls in the pot
Showing that there are currents in the water.
G. the heat you feel when you put your hand a few inches
away from a light bulb
H. currents caused by the heating and cooling of
the magma inside the earth.
I. a spoon sitting in hot soup becomes hot.
Discussion
1. What happens to the density of a fluid when it becomes hotter? What happens to the
density of a fluid when it becomes cooler?
When a fluid becomes hotter it becomes less dense. When a fluid becomes cooler it becomes
more dense
2. What happens to convection currents when a fluid reaches constant temperature?
When the fluid is a constant temperature convection currents stop.
Inside Earth (pp. 28 – 32)
Section 1.3
Definitions:
Wegener’s hypothesis
All the continents had once been joined together in a single land mass and have since
drifted apart.
Pangaea
The name of the single landmass that broke apart and gave rise to today’s continents
Continental Drift
The hypothesis that the continents move across earth’s surface
Fossil
A trace of an ancient organism that has been preserved in rocks
Inside Earth (pp. 28 – 32)
Section 1.3
This is a map of the earth. Use the key to fill in the four major geologic evidences for
continental drift. Draw each on the map, using the correct color. (copy from page 30)
Folded mountains
Glossopteris Fossils
Glacial Deposits
Coal beds
Discussion:
Glossopteris Fossils
1. What was the main reason scientists rejected Wegener’ hypothesis?
He could not explain what caused the continents to move and separate.
2. How many years did it take for scientists to accept Wegener’s hypothesis? Could his
hypothesis be rejected again? How?
50 years. Yes, if new evidence was discovered that showed his hypothesis to be incorrect it
would be changed or rejected.
Inside Earth (pp. 33 – 39)
Section 1.4
Definitions:
Mid-ocean ridge
The longest chain of mountains in the world. It is found in the middle of the Atlantic ocean on
the ocean floor.
Sonar
A device that bounces sound waves of under water objects and then records the echo of the
sound waves
Sea-floor spreading
The process that continually adds new material to the ocean floor. Molten material rises from
the mantle, erupts, spreads out, and pushes older material to the sides.
The Glomar Challenger
A drilling ship that gathered samples from the ocean floor that proved sea-floor spreading
actually happens.
Deep Ocean Trench
A deep valley along the ocean floor through which oceanic crust slowly sinks towards the
mantle.
Subduction
The process by which oceanic crust sinks beneath a deep-ocean trench and back into the
mantle at a convergent plate boundary
Inside Earth (pp. 33 – 39)
Section 1.4 (see diagram page 36)
1. Use the key to color the diagram to illustrate the parts of the sea floor surrounding a mid
ocean ridge.
2. Label the Oceanic Crust.
3. Label the Mid-Ocean Ridge
Molten Material (Magma)
Mantle
olten
Materialwhen
(Magma)
Rock formed
the magnetic field
was in the same direction as it is today
Rock formed when the magnetic field
was reversed.
Inside Earth (pp. 33 – 39)
Section 1.4 (page 34)
1. Draw the location of the Mid-Ocean Ridges.
2. Draw the location of the deep ocean Trenches.
3. Label the Mid -Atlantic Ridge (write the name next to the line)
Fill in the blank
When oceanic crust meets continental crust, the oceanic crust moves
________underneath______________ (underneath or above) the continental crust because
the oceanic crust is _________more________________ (more or less) dense.
Inside Earth (pp. 42 – 47)
Section 1.5
Definitions
Scientific Theory
A well tested concepts that explains a wide range of observations
Plate Tectonics
The theory that pieces of earth’s lithosphere are in constant motion, driven by convection
currents in the mantle
Transform Boundary
A plate boundary where two plates move past each other in opposite directions
Divergent Boundary
A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other
Convergent Boundary
A plate boundary where two plates move towards each other
Rift Valley
A deep valley that forms where two plates move apart
Inside Earth (pp. 42 – 47)
Section 1.5 (see pages 44 and 45)
Draw a diagram to illustrate each answer. If you need more room, use
additional paper or write on the back of this page.
1. When two oceanic plates diverge, what landform is created? Draw a diagram of this
situation.
2. When two oceanic plates converge, what landforms are created? Draw a diagram of
this situation.
3. When a continental plate and an oceanic plate converge, what landforms are created?
Draw a diagram of this situation.
4. When two continental plates converge, what landforms are created? Draw a diagram of
this situation.
5. When two continental plates diverge, what landforms are created? Draw a diagram of
this situation.