Layers of the Earth

The student will:

1. Identify the layers of the earth and the approximate distances of each.

A. Crust 6-40 miles.

B. Mantle 1,800 miles.

C. Outer core 1,375 miles.

D. Inner core 1,750 miles.

2. Identify and list the sciences that study the earth's layers and the importance of the information gathered and how it is used.

3. Identify the basic composition of each layer.

Materials:

Blue, brown, yellow, black, and white construction paper marked with the appropriate diameter circle.

An apple

A knife

Scissors

Glue

A box of crayons to label and color the project.

Using construction paper have each student model the layers of the earth. Blue 8-1/2 " circle labeled 6-40 miles. The crust is made of many plates which "float" above mantle. The crust is thicker and lighter at the continents and thinner and denser at the ocean floor. Brown 7 " circle labeled 1,800 miles. The mantle lies below the crust. It is a thick layer of solid rock. Many scientists believe that the mantle transfers heat from the core to the surface. Yellow 6" circle labeled 1,375 miles. The outer core is made of melted iron and nickel. It is much denser than the rock layers above it. The temperature of the outer core can range form 4000 to 9000 F. Black 3" diameter circle labeled 1,750 miles. The inner core is made of solid iron and nickel. These materials sank to the center of the earth while it was still in a molten form. Use white construction paper for the background and label each circle at the top as it is glued to the background. Have each student decorate their projects, as they now understand the earth.

Natural Science, http://server2.greatlakes.k12.mi.us/explorer/GLCbrowse/Natural^Science/index.html