The Earth’s Layers
Unit 1: Part 1
Bell Work- Tuesday Aug 26
•Using the notecards on your table,
write an affirmation to Mr. Cassinelli
and Mrs. G
•Remind me about Good things and
Lunch count
Bell Work- Tuesday Aug 26
•According to the Big Bang theory, how
were the planets formed?
•Remind me about Good Things
The Surface of the Earth
• The surface of the earth is in constant motion
• What are some ways that the earth’s surface can change
over time?
• Does the interior of the earth change over time? How do
you know?
Studying the Earth’s Interior
•Geologists cannot look inside
the Earth
• They have only managed to drill 12
kilometers into the Earth
•Seismic Waves
• They send waves into the earth to help
map out what the interior looks like
• The speed of the waves and paths they
take reveal the earth’s interior
Seismic Wave Activity
• This will be turned in at the end of class!
• Step 1: Create waves in the bucket (be sure not to
spill or splash!)
• Step 2: Observe wave patterns
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Write down observations in full sentences (at least 3)
What pattern do the waves make?
Are the waves going in the same direction?
Draw a picture of the waves
• Step 3: Place a glass in the center of the bucket and
repeat steps 1 and 2
• How did the addition of the glass change the waves?
• How could this activity be tied to using seismic waves to study the
earth’s interior?
• Draw a picture of the waves
Bell Work- Wed Aug 26
•Using the notecards on your table,
write an affirmation to the person
sitting next to you (at your table of 4)
•Remind me about Good things and
Lunch count
Bell Work- Wed Aug 27
•How do scientists study the interior of
the earth? (2-4 sentences)
Temperature
•Temperature: Increases towards
center of the earth
•Results from heat left over from the
formation of the planet
•Radioactive substances inside earth release
energy
Pressure
•Pressure: Increases towards center
of the earth
•Pressure caused by forces pressing
on an area
•The weight of rock above causes an
increase in pressure as you go deeper
The Layers of the Earth
The Crust
•The outermost layer (the skin of the earth
•5-70 km thick, about 600 Celsius
•2 types of crust
• Oceanic Crust
• Made from dense basalt
• Continental Crust
• Made from less dense granite
The Mantle
•Made of hot solid rock that moves
fluidly- like silly putty
•3,000 km thick
•3 layers
The 3 Layers of the Mantle
•The Lithosphere- Uppermost layer of the
mantle
• Rigid Stone, 100km thick, About 1200 celsius
•The Asthenosphere- Middle layer of the
mantle
• Less rigid, solid rock, about 1300 celsius
•The lower mantle- the lower layer
• Solid Rock, about 1700 celsius
The Mantle
The core
•Outer Core: Liquid Iron and Nickel
•About 5200 celsius
•Inner Core: Solid Iron and Nickel
•About 5500 celsius
•800 miles thick
Earth’s Layer Folder
•Folder must contain 3 sheets
• Sheet 1: Inner and Outer Core
• Sheet 2: Mantle (all 3 parts)
• Sheet 3: Crust
• Each sheet should explain the following
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Thickness of the layer
State of matter of the layer
Any known facts of the layer
Due Tuesday Sept 3
Bell Work- Thursday Aug 28
•Using the notecards on your table,
write an affirmation to Mr. Yanaitis and
Dr. Pantou
•Remind me about Good things and
Lunch count
Bell Work- Thurs Aug 28
•Can solid rock flow? How? (1-2
sentences)
Types of Heat Transfer
•Radiation: transfer of energy through space
• Example: Sunlight warms the earth (no direct contact)
•Conduction: heat transfer within a material
or between materials that are touching
• Example: spoon in a pot of soup heats up
•Convection: heat transfer movement of
currents within a fluid
Current Convection
•Heating and cooling of the fluid, changes in
the fluids density, and the force of gravity
combine to set convection currents in motion
•Continue as long as heat is added
Current Convection in the
mantle
• Heat from the core and the mantle
itself causes convection currents in the
mantle
• Heat transfers from core to rock of
mantle; this rock rises toward top of
mantle and cools. As the rock cools, it
sinks closer to the core, creating
currents.
Convection activity
• Carefully pour some hot water into the aluminum pan.
• Fill the plastic cup half full with cold water and place in the center
of the pan.
• Allow water to stand for two minutes until all motion stops
• Fill a plastic dropper with some food coloring. Hold the dropper
just under the waters surface and slightly away from the edge of
the cup, gently squeeze a small droplet of the food coloring into
the water.
• Observe for one minute.
• Write 3 observations in full sentences and draw a picture
• Add another droplet at the waters surface in the middle of the cup
and observe again
• Write 3 observations in full sentences and draw a picture
Bell Work- Friday Aug 29
•In your notes, write down 3 long term
and 3 short term goals for this year
•Remind me about Good things and
Lunch count
Bell Work- fri aug 29
•Draw and label the layers of the earth
•Include all layers of the mantle, crust, and
core
Journey to the Center of the Earth
•Include these facts in your story
•Thickness of the layers
•What are the layers made of
•Temperature
•Pressure
•Crust- continental and oceanic
•Mantle- lithosphere, asthenosphere,
lower mantle
•Outer Core
•Inner Core
Homework
•Journey to the Center of the Earth story
due Tuesday
•You will have 20 minutes in class to finish
up