Earth’s Structure and Layers
Physics ⇒ Earth and Space Physics
Earth’s Structure and Layers starts at 6 and continues till grade 12.
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See sample questions for grade 12
Calculate the approximate thickness of the Earth's crust if the average thickness of continental crust is 35 km and oceanic crust is 7 km. If the Earth's surface is 30% land and 70% ocean, what is the average crustal thickness?
Describe how the temperature and pressure change as you move from the Earth's crust to the core.
Describe the difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere.
Describe the main differences between the Earth's oceanic crust and continental crust.
Explain how the movement of the asthenosphere affects tectonic plates.
Explain the significance of the Gutenberg discontinuity in Earth's structure.
Explain why seismic waves change speed and direction as they travel through different layers of the Earth.
Explain why the study of seismic waves is important for understanding Earth's internal structure.
If the radius of the Earth is approximately 6371 km and the crust is on average 15 km thick, what percentage of Earth's radius does the crust represent? (Round to two decimal places)
Name the two main types of seismic waves used to study Earth's internal structure.
The Earth's core is primarily composed of which two elements?
Which boundary separates the Earth's outer core from the inner core?
Which layer of the Earth is responsible for generating the planet's magnetic field?
Which layer of the Earth is the thickest?
A seismic wave travels at 8 km/s through the mantle and slows down to 5 km/s upon entering the outer core. What does this change in velocity suggest about the physical state and composition of the outer core compared to the mantle?
Describe how the presence of radioactive isotopes in the Earth's interior contributes to the structure and evolution of Earth's layers.
Describe the process by which scientists use the refraction and reflection of seismic waves to infer the boundaries between Earth's internal layers.
Explain how the discovery of Earth's shadow zones for P-waves and S-waves provided evidence for the existence and properties of the Earth's core.
Explain why the study of Earth's internal heat flow is important for understanding the dynamics of plate tectonics and volcanic activity.
If the average density of the Earth's core is 12,600 kg/m³ and the average density of the mantle is 4,500 kg/m³, calculate the ratio of the core's density to the mantle's density. Express your answer as a decimal rounded to two decimal places.
