Earth's Interior : Part 1 -Unit 3 Lesson 1

composition

describes what something is made of-ingredients

density

how much matter is packed into a given space

Planetary Differentiation

Process of when denser materials sink to the center of a planet and the less dense material rises towards the outer regions as the planet is forming

rigid rock

stiff solid rock material in certain portions of the earth

Silicates

rocks made of compounds of silicon and oxygen. that have a low density. Found in the crust and a bit in the mantle

Crust

The thin and solid outermost layer of the Earth above the mantle (Made of less dense materials)

mantle

thickest main layer of the earth, broken into 3 sections that are (rigid,soft, rigid) however all 3 sections are solids

core

Center of the earth made mostly iron and some nickel (made of the most dense materials)

Composition layers

Earth's 3 main layers: crust, mantle, and core that formed due to the material's density that are found in each layer.

Lithosphere

made up of the crust and top part of the mantle-solid rigid material

asthenosphere

Solid, soft layer of the mantle that is very hot and can flow slowly consisting of magma

mesosphere

the bottom layer of the mantle that is solid, rigid and very dense

outer core

made of liquid metal (iron and nickel).

Heat makes it move around and makes a magnetic field-convection currents responsible for earth's magnetic field

inner core

made of very dense solid iron and nickel due to extreme pressure

Physical layers (properties)

Earth has 5 layers that differ in physical properties; lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesophere, outer core and inner core

seismic waves

earthquake waves where energy is released and travels through the earth

radioactive decay

The breakdown of radioactive elements, releasing particles and energy(heat)

gravity

A force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses and densities.

kinetic energy (collision of moving particles)

energy of motion , collisions converted some of this energy to heat as the earth was forming.

gravitational potential energy

energy stored due to the material's position, then as materials move it is converted into heat.