How do the mass and the density of the mantle compare with the mass and density of Earth’s core?
The mass and density of the mantle and the Earth's core are quite different.
The mantle is the middle layer of the Earth, located between the crust and the core. It constitutes about 84% of the Earth's volume. The mass of the mantle is significant, accounting for about 67.2% of the Earth's total mass. However, its density is relatively low compared to the core. The average density of the mantle is around 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
On the other hand, the core is the innermost layer of the Earth, divided into two distinct regions: the outer core and the inner core. The outer core, made primarily of liquid iron and nickel, surrounds the inner core, which is solid. Combined, the core makes up about 15% of the Earth's volume. However, despite having a smaller volume, the core has a mass of about 32.1% of the Earth's total mass. This suggests that the core is significantly denser than the mantle. The average density of the core is approximately 9.9 g/cm³.
Overall, while the mantle is more massive, the core is much denser due to its composition of heavy elements.
The mass and density of the mantle and the core of Earth are different. Let's compare them step-by-step:
1. Earth's Core:
- The core is made up of two parts: the outer core and the inner core.
- The outer core is primarily composed of liquid iron and nickel, while the inner core is solid.
- The outer core has a lower density than the inner core.
- The outer core's density is around 10 g/cm³, while the inner core's density is estimated to be around 12-13 g/cm³.
- The total mass of Earth's core is approximately 1/3 of Earth's total mass.
2. Earth's Mantle:
- The mantle lies between the crust and the core.
- It is the thickest layer of Earth, constituting about 84% of Earth's volume.
- The mantle is composed mainly of solid rock, primarily silicate minerals rich in iron and magnesium.
- The average density of the mantle is around 3.3-5.5 g/cm³.
- The total mass of Earth's mantle is estimated to be about 67% of Earth's total mass.
In summary, the core is denser and has a higher mass compared to the mantle. The core's density is around 10-13 g/cm³, and its mass accounts for approximately 1/3 of Earth's total mass. On the other hand, the mantle has a lower density of 3.3-5.5 g/cm³ and makes up about 67% of Earth's total mass.