Comprehension Check on Earth Layers…NOTE: This will also serve as a study guide!
1. List the layers of the earth in order from the outermost to the inner most: Hint: There are 6
2. List the layers in order from the thickest to the thinnest—List all subsections in order, THEN list the
three main layers in order…BE CAREFUL!!
3. Answer the following questions:
a. Which layer is composed mainly of basalt? _______________________ Hint: baSALT
b. Which layer is composed of molten rock? _________________________ Hint: includes upper and lower
c. Which layer is composed mostly of solid iron and nickel? ________________________
d. Which layer is composed mostly of granite? _______________________
e. Which layer is composed mostly of liquid iron and nickel? ________________________
f. This upper portion of the mantle is made up of partially molten rock, has a plastic-like consistency,
and it is just below the lithosphere._______________________ Hint: Starts with an A
g. This can be synonymous to the crust but also includes the vey uppermost portion of the
mantle.___________________
4.
What do temperature, pressure, and density all have in common when referring to the earth’s layers?
Starter help:
Temperature, pressure, and density all _________________ as we go_____________.
5. Based on the question above, we can conclude that the most dense, highest temperature, and greatest
pressure exists in which layer?______________________________________.
6. Explain why the layer that is liquid iron and nickel is liquid, and why the layer that is solid iron and nickel
is solid.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Over
7. Density is defined as the amount of mass in a given amount of _____________________.
8. If an object had a volume of 3cm3 and a mass of 15g, what is the objects density?
______________ Hint: D=M/V
9. Explain why there are differences in pressure and density within the earth’s layers:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Which of the two types of crust is the oldest? ______________________________
A
B
C
D
11. Label the diagram above:
A._________________________
B._________________________
C._________________________
D._________________________