Earth's Composition

Question 1

Layers of the earth based on chemical composition

Answer 1

inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust

Question 2

Layers of the earth based on physical properties

Answer 2

lithosphere, asthenosphere, and upper mantle

Question 3

Is the outermost and thinnest layer of our planet

Answer 3

crust

Question 4

The most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust include

Answer 4

oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, and calcium

Question 5

This layer is hot, dense, and moves as semi-solid rock

Answer 5

mantle

Question 6

The most abundant element in mantle

Answer 6

silicate minerals that are similar to ones found in the crust (more magnesium and iron and less silicon and aluminum)

Question 7

It is the movement of the liquid within this layer that generates Earth’s magnetic field. This layer is in liquid form.

Answer 7

outer core

Question 8

The outer core is composed mostly of what

Answer 8

iron and nickel, with these metals found in liquid form.

Question 9

This layer is is the hottest part of our planet

Answer 9

inner core

Question 10

Why is the inner core in solid state?

Answer 10

The iron is under so much pressure from the overlying planet that it cannot melt and stays in a solid state.

Question 11

The inner core is composed mostly on what

Answer 11

iron

Question 12

Is the outermost layer of the Earth ~100 km thick and is defined by its mechanical properties.

Answer 12

lithosphere

Question 13

includes the upper part of the mantle that is highly viscous and mechanically weak

Answer 13

asthenosphere

Question 14

refers to the mantle in the region under the lithosphere and the asthenosphere, but above the outer core

Answer 14

mesosphere

Question 15

all layers of the earth in order

Answer 15

lithosphere (crust and upper mantle), asthenosphere (below lithosphere, upper area of mantle), mesosphere ( the rest of the mantle), outer core (liquid), and inner core (solid)

Question 16

Layers of the atmosphere

Answer 16

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, exosphere

Question 17

Lowest layer of the atmosphere, where nearly all weather occurs and clouds appear

Answer 17

troposphere

Question 18

Layer of the atmosphere where the ozone layer is located

Answer 18

stratosphere

Question 19

Layer of the atmosphere where meteors burn up

Answer 19

mesosphere

Question 20

Why do most meteors burn up in the mesosphere

Answer 20

meteors burn as they fall through the mesosphere. The space rocks experience friction with the gas molecules. The friction makes the meteors get very hot. Many meteors burn up completely in the mesosphere.

Question 21

Layer of the atmosphere where high-energy x-rays and UV radiation from the sun are absorbed

Answer 21

thermosphere

Question 22

Layer of the atmosphere in which ionization of atmospheric gases affects the propagation of radio waves, which extends from about 30 miles (50 kilometers) to the exosphere, and which is contiguous with the upper portion of the mesosphere and the thermosphere

Answer 22

ionosphere

Question 23

The final layer of Earth’s gaseous envelope

Answer 23

exosphere

Question 24

What is the atmosphere composed of

Answer 24

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.04% carbon dioxide, 0.9% argon, and 0.06% are other gases