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Questions and Answers
Which layer of the Earth is predominantly composed of iron and nickel?
Which of the following is the most dense layer of the Earth?
What is the primary composition of the Earth's mantle?
Which feature is responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field?
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Study Notes
Structure of the Earth
- The Earth is divided into three main layers: the crust, mantle, and core, distinguished by their relative position, composition, and density.
Crust
- The outermost solid layer, varying in thickness from 5-70 km, with an average thickness of 35 km.
- Composed of a variety of rocks, including granite, basalt, and sedimentary rocks.
- Density: approximately 2.7-3.0 g/cm³.
Mantle
- Lies beneath the crust, extending from about 35 km to 2,900 km in depth.
- Divided into the upper mantle and lower mantle, separated by a transition zone.
- Composed primarily of hot, viscous rock (olivine, pyroxene, and garnet).
- Density: increases with depth, ranging from 3.3 to 5.6 g/cm³.
Outer Core
- A liquid layer, 2,250 km thick, composed of a nickel-iron alloy.
- Temperature: approximately 4,000-6,000°C (7,200-11,000°F).
- Density: around 9.9-12.2 g/cm³.
Inner Core
- A solid, innermost layer, with a radius of approximately 1,220 km.
- Composed primarily of iron (~85%) and nickel (~10%), with small amounts of lighter elements.
- Temperature: approximately 5,000-6,000°C (9,000-11,000°F).
- Density: around 12.8-13.1 g/cm³.
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Description
This quiz covers the structure of the Earth, including its layers, the mantle, and core. It explores their relative positions, compositions, and densities.