Chapter 5 - Section 1 - Earth's Interior

Question 1

seismic waves

Answer 1

Vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake.

Question 2

pressure

Answer 2

The force exerted on a surface divided by the area over which the force is exerted.

Question 3

crust

Answer 3

The layer of rock that forms Earth’s outer surface.

Question 4

basalt

Answer 4

A dark, dense, igneous rock with a fine texture, found in oceanic crust.

Question 5

granite

Answer 5

A usually light-colored igneous rock that is found in continental crust.

Question 6

mantle

Answer 6

The layer of hot, solid material between Earth’s crust and core.

Question 7

lithosphere

Answer 7

A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust.

Question 8

asthenosphere

Answer 8

The soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats.

Question 9

outer core

Answer 9

A layer of molten iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of Earth.

Question 10

inner core

Answer 10

A dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of Earth.

Question 11

Why is it difficult to determine Earth’s inner structure?

Answer 11

because the Earth’s interior is made up of several layers

Question 12

How are seismic waves used to provide evidence about Earth’s interior?

Answer 12

The speed of seismic waves and the paths they take reveal the structure of the planet.

Question 13

What is the difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere?

Answer 13

lithosphere is rigid (hard)

asthenosphere is kind of soft–it can bend like plastic

Question 14

In which layer is the lithosphere located?

Answer 14

uppermost part of the mantle

Question 15

In which layer is the asthenosphere located?

Answer 15

the mantle

just below the lithosphere

Question 16

Is the lithosphere

solid, liquid, or solid but able to flow slowly?

Answer 16

solid

Question 17

Is the asthenosphere

solid, liquid, or solid but able to flow slowly?

Answer 17

solid

Question 18

Is the lower mantle

solid, liquid, or solid but able to flow slowly?

Answer 18

solid

Question 19

Is the outer core

solid, liquid, or solid but able to flow slowly?

Answer 19

liquid

Question 20

Is the inner core

solid, liquid, or solid but able to flow slowly?

Answer 20

solid

Question 21

What are Earth’s 3 main layers?

Answer 21

crust

mantle

core

Question 22

What are the characteristics of Earth’s crust?

Answer 22

solid rock

rocks, mountains

soil and water

Question 23

What are the characteristics of the mantle?

Answer 23

very hot, but solid rock

made up of the:

lithosphere

asthenosphere

lower mantle

Question 24

What are the characteristics of the core?

Answer 24

made mostly of metals iron and nickel

2 parts - the liquid outer core and the solid inner core