Earth is truly a dynamic place with changing weather patterns, mountain ranges being pushed higher and eroded and tidal forces moving vast bodies of water. The Earth is both beneath us and above us. We know a lot about the atmosphere as it is very easy to observe and measure. To understand the recurring events that are constantly changing our plaent, we must explore the Earth's structure.
To obtain a complete picture of our planet we will start from space and work our way to the very core, in an effort to understand why Earth has changed and will continue to change.
To obtain a complete picture of our planet we will start from space and work our way to the very core, in an effort to understand why Earth has changed and will continue to change.
The Atomosphere
The atomosphere is the layers of gases surrounding planet Earth. The atomosphere is held close to the Earth's surface to gravity. The temperature, density and composition change the higher you go.
The main gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen (78%), oxygen (20.9%), argon (0.9%) and carbon dioxide (0.03%).
The atomosphere is the layers of gases surrounding planet Earth. The atomosphere is held close to the Earth's surface to gravity. The temperature, density and composition change the higher you go.
The main gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen (78%), oxygen (20.9%), argon (0.9%) and carbon dioxide (0.03%).
TASK 1
Use the information below to create a short story about what you would experience if you took a balloon ride from the ground to the orbiting satellite.
Use the information below to create a short story about what you would experience if you took a balloon ride from the ground to the orbiting satellite.
The Crust
The crust is the outermost terrestial layer. It is formed from a vast variety of landscapes, such as hills, mountains, valleys, plains and deserts. The crust is not the same thickness all over. The seabed is, on average, 8km thick and the continents are, on average, 40km thick.
The Earth's crust is made from two types of rock. These rocks consist of minerals which are composed of elements. 98% of the Earth's crust consists of just eight elements. These are: oxygen (47%), silicon (28%), aluminium (8%) iron (5%), calcium (3.6%), sodium (2.8%), potassium (2.6%) and magnesium (2.1%).
TASK 2
Investigate the two types of rock the Earth's crust is made up of. List what the rocks are called and briefly describe the rock.
OR
Display the eight elements, and their percentages, in a graph. It could be a pie graph, strip graph, bar graph etc.
Exentsion Task
The Seafloor
Modern oceanography began in 1872, when the British Royal Navy sent HMS Challenger on a 4 year expedition to survey a variety of oceanic features, including the geology of the seafloor. The HMS Challenger discovered the Mariana Trench below the surface of the western Pacific Ocean near Guam, where the seafloor is quite deep.
Research the Mariana Trench. How deep is the trench? What is the deepest part called? Compare the depth of the trench with the height of Mt Everest. Explain your findings.
The Mantle
The layer directly below the crust is the mantle. The mantle has not been seen or sampled. Scientists have based their ideas on secondary or indirect measurements, usually seismic data (earthquakes) and laboratory experiments on rocks and minerals.
The mantle is thought to be 2900km thick and has upper and lower layers. The temperature increases with depth, so the upper layer is cooler (1000 degrees Celsius) and its rocks are less plastic. The lower and hotter layer ( 3700 degress Celsius) contains soft, but not molten, rocks.
When one layer of mantle stops, and another starts, this is called discontinuity. Each has a special name.
The crust is the outermost terrestial layer. It is formed from a vast variety of landscapes, such as hills, mountains, valleys, plains and deserts. The crust is not the same thickness all over. The seabed is, on average, 8km thick and the continents are, on average, 40km thick.
The Earth's crust is made from two types of rock. These rocks consist of minerals which are composed of elements. 98% of the Earth's crust consists of just eight elements. These are: oxygen (47%), silicon (28%), aluminium (8%) iron (5%), calcium (3.6%), sodium (2.8%), potassium (2.6%) and magnesium (2.1%).
TASK 2
Investigate the two types of rock the Earth's crust is made up of. List what the rocks are called and briefly describe the rock.
OR
Display the eight elements, and their percentages, in a graph. It could be a pie graph, strip graph, bar graph etc.
Exentsion Task
The Seafloor
Modern oceanography began in 1872, when the British Royal Navy sent HMS Challenger on a 4 year expedition to survey a variety of oceanic features, including the geology of the seafloor. The HMS Challenger discovered the Mariana Trench below the surface of the western Pacific Ocean near Guam, where the seafloor is quite deep.
Research the Mariana Trench. How deep is the trench? What is the deepest part called? Compare the depth of the trench with the height of Mt Everest. Explain your findings.
The Mantle
The layer directly below the crust is the mantle. The mantle has not been seen or sampled. Scientists have based their ideas on secondary or indirect measurements, usually seismic data (earthquakes) and laboratory experiments on rocks and minerals.
The mantle is thought to be 2900km thick and has upper and lower layers. The temperature increases with depth, so the upper layer is cooler (1000 degrees Celsius) and its rocks are less plastic. The lower and hotter layer ( 3700 degress Celsius) contains soft, but not molten, rocks.
When one layer of mantle stops, and another starts, this is called discontinuity. Each has a special name.
The Core
The core, like the mantle, has two layers, an outer and inner core. Evidence strongly suggests that the core mainly consists of an iron-nickel alloy. The outer core is molten and very hot (4000-5000 degress Celsius). This outer layer of the core is moving and contributes to the Earth's magnetic field. The inner core is a lot smaller than the outer core. It is purely made from iron. The pressure of the centre of the Earth is so great that the iron core doesn't melt even though the temperature is estimated to be 5000-7000 degrees Celsius.
The core, like the mantle, has two layers, an outer and inner core. Evidence strongly suggests that the core mainly consists of an iron-nickel alloy. The outer core is molten and very hot (4000-5000 degress Celsius). This outer layer of the core is moving and contributes to the Earth's magnetic field. The inner core is a lot smaller than the outer core. It is purely made from iron. The pressure of the centre of the Earth is so great that the iron core doesn't melt even though the temperature is estimated to be 5000-7000 degrees Celsius.
TASK 3
Create a model of the Earth. Your model must show all the different layers, from the centre to the atmosphere, and a brief description. Challenge yourself by be creative with your presentation.
Questions
1. What problems are involved in exploring the structure of the Earth?
2. Explain why the Earth's atmosphere doesn't drift off into space.
3. Why do scientists believe that the Earth's core is made up of a iron-nickel alloy?
4. Design three questions you have about the Earth's structure.
Create a model of the Earth. Your model must show all the different layers, from the centre to the atmosphere, and a brief description. Challenge yourself by be creative with your presentation.
Questions
1. What problems are involved in exploring the structure of the Earth?
2. Explain why the Earth's atmosphere doesn't drift off into space.
3. Why do scientists believe that the Earth's core is made up of a iron-nickel alloy?
4. Design three questions you have about the Earth's structure.