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1. What is the difference between a compositional layer and a physical layer?

The compositional layer is defined by the chemical composition of the


layers and the physical layer is defined by the layers’ physical properties
(solid, liquid, or how waves move through the layer).
2. List the three compositional layers in order starting from the surface of the
Earth.
a. Crust
b. Mantle
c. Core
3. List the five physical layers in order starting from the surface of the Earth.
a. Lithosphere
b. Asthenosphere
c. Mesosphere
d. Outer Core
e. Inner Core
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?
The asthenosphere and the mesosphere are the two layers that are
composed of slow flowing rocks.
6. Which compositional layer of the Earth is the thinnest?
The crust is the thinnest compositional layer of the Earth.
7. What do scientists use to identify the compositional layers of the Earth?
Scientists use the chemical composition of the layers to identify the
compositional layers.
8. What do scientists use to identify the physical layers of the Earth?
Scientists use the physical properties of the layers to identify the physical
layers of the Earth.
9. How is the outer core of the Earth different from the inner core?
The outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid.
10. Which compositional layer is made up of hot, convecting rock?
The mantle is composed of hot, convecting rock.
11. The lithosphere is made up of two compositional layers. What are they and
be specific?
The lithosphere is made up of the crust and the rigid, upper portion of the
mantle.
12. Describe the relationship between the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and
mesosphere and how they are important to understanding plate tectonics.
The lithosphere is the crust and the rigid upper mantle, and is divided up as
tectonic plates, which float on the top of the asthenosphere. The
asthenosphere is slow-flowing rock and the mesosphere is the lower part of
the mantle, and the rock flows more slowly here. Convection in the mantle
is a driving force of the tectonic plates of the lithosphere.
13. Describe convection in regards to the layers of the Earth.
Convention is the movement of matter that results from differences in
density caused by variations in temperatures. As rock in the lower mantle is
super heated, it becomes less dense and rises up through the mantle. Once
it reaches the upper portion of the mantle it forces the cooler, more dense
rock to the lower portion of the mantle where the process begins again.
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.
The outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid. Because the outer core is
liquid , it is less dense than the inner core. This causes the outer core to
rotate faster than the inner core. This difference in rotational speeds, along
with the composition of iron and nickel, are what scientists believe give the
Earth its magnetic field.

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