Questions and Answers
What are the two main parts of the Earth's crust?
Continental crust, Oceanic crust
Why is the continental crust referred to as SIAL?
Because it is primarily composed of silica and alumina.
What are the primary elements in oceanic crust, and what is it known as?
Silica and magnesium, known as SIMA.
What is the state of the materials in the lower mantle?
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Why is the inner core of the Earth solid?
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What minerals primarily make up the Earth's core, and what is this layer known as?
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Study Notes
Earth's Structure
Crust
- Thin outer shell of the Earth, approximately 40 km thick
- Comprises two parts: Continental crust and Oceanic crust
- Continental crust is also known as SIAL (silica and alumina) and Oceanic crust is also known as SIMA (silica and magnesium)
Mantle
- Located beneath the crust, extending up to 2900 km
- Divided into two parts: Upper Mantle and Lower Mantle
- Upper Mantle is in a solid state, composed of silicon compounds
- Lower Mantle is in a semi-liquid state, located beneath the Upper Mantle
Core
- Central part of the Earth, spanning from 2900 km to 6371 km
- Comprises two parts: Outer Core and Inner Core
- Outer Core is in a molten state
- Inner Core is in a solid state due to high pressure, primarily composed of nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe), also known as NIFE
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Test your knowledge of the Earth's crust and mantle, including their composition and characteristics.
