Layers of the Earth – Questions
Resources:
Reading 1
Reading 2
1. What is the difference between a compositional layer and a physical layer?
2. List the three compositional layers in order starting from the surface of the
Earth.
3. List the five physical layers in order starting from the surface of the Earth.
4. Now match the compositional layers up with their respective physical layers
starting from the surface of the Earth.
a. Lithosphere
a. Crust
b. Asthenosphere
b. Mantle
c. Mesosphere
c. Core
d. Outer Core
e. Inner Core
5. Which physical layer is the slow flowing part of the mantle?
6. Which compositional layer of the Earth is the thinnest?
7. What do scientists use to identify the compositional layers of the Earth?
8. What do scientists use to identify the physical layers of the Earth?
9. How is the outer core of the Earth different from the inner core?
10. Which compositional layer is made up of hot, convecting rock?
11. The lithosphere is made up of two compositional layers. What are they and
be specific?
12. Describe the relationship between the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and
mesosphere and how they are important to understanding plate tectonics.
13. Describe convection in regards to the layers of the Earth.
14. Earth’s core is divided into two physical layers, the inner core and the outer
core. Both are made mostly of iron and nickel. However, the layers are very
different. Explain the main differences between these two layers.