What is the difference between the layers of the earth by physical properties and chemical composition
Honestly, a google search will probably help you... but....
Chemical Composition
Core is made of iron with minor amounts of nickel, and lies at the center of the earth
Mantle is made of iron-magnesium silicates and surrounds the core. The mantle makes up the bulk of the earth.
Crust occurs as two distinct types, oceanic crust and continental crust. Both types of crust are lighter (less dense) and contain more silica than the mantle.
Physical layering
Inner Core is the central part of the iron-nickel core. It is a solid iron sphere. The reason that the iron is solid is that the pressure at the center of the earth is significantly higher than the pressure above, while the temperature is only slightly higher. While higher temperature would tend to melt materials, higher pressures tend to create solids.
Outer Core constitutes the remainder of the iron-nickel core and is liquid. It is liquid because the pressure is lower.
Mesosphere. The majority of the mantle from the core-mantle boundary is solid and is called the mesosphere.
Asthenosphere. Nearer to the surface of the earth the temperature is still relatively high but the pressure is greatly reduced. This creates a situation where the mantle is partially melted. The asthenosphere is a plastic solid in that it flows over time.
Lithosphere. Above the asthenosphere, the temperature begins to drop more rapidly. This creates a layer of cool, rigid rock called the lithosphere. The lithosphere includes the uppermost part of the mantle and it also includes all of the crust. That is, the crust is the upper part of the lithosphere, and the upper mantle is the lower part of the lithosphere.
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How can the earth's crust be separated by its chemical and physical composition?
To understand the difference between the layers of the Earth in terms of physical properties and chemical composition, we need to consider two major classifications: the Earth's compositional layers and its physical layers.
Starting with the compositional layers, the Earth can be divided into three main layers:
1. The Crust: This is the outermost layer of the Earth and is the thinnest layer, ranging from about 5 to 70 kilometers in thickness. The crust can be further divided into two types:
- Continental Crust: Found beneath the continents, this crust is composed mostly of granitic rocks, which are lighter in color and less dense compared to oceanic crust.
- Oceanic Crust: Located beneath the ocean basins, this crust is primarily made up of basaltic rocks, which are darker and denser than continental crust.
2. The Mantle: The mantle lies beneath the crust and constitutes the largest portion of the Earth's volume. It extends from the base of the crust to a depth of about 2,900 kilometers. The mantle contains more iron, magnesium, and calcium compared to the crust.
3. The Core: Located at the Earth's center, the core is divided into two layers:
- Outer Core: This layer is liquid and composed mainly of molten iron and nickel, along with smaller amounts of sulfur and oxygen.
- Inner Core: The innermost layer of the Earth, the inner core, is solid and primarily consists of iron and nickel.
Moving on to the physical layers, the Earth is separated into five different layers based on physical properties and behavior:
1. Lithosphere: This is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, encompassing both the crust and a portion of the uppermost mantle. It is broken into several large and small tectonic plates that float and move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below.
2. Asthenosphere: Beneath the lithosphere, the asthenosphere is a partially molten and ductile layer of the mantle. It allows the lithospheric plates to move and interact with each other due to its semi-fluid nature.
3. Mesosphere: Situated below the asthenosphere, the mesosphere is characterized by a decrease in temperature and pressure with depth. This region represents the solid upper part of the lower mantle.
4. Outer Core: As mentioned earlier, the outer core is a liquid layer comprising molten iron and nickel. The flow of molten metal in this layer generates Earth's magnetic field.
5. Inner Core: The inner core, despite its high temperature, remains solid due to the immense pressure exerted on it from the layers above. The solid inner core is primarily composed of iron and nickel.
In summary, the major distinction between the Earth's layers is based on both chemical composition (e.g., the types of rocks and elements present) and physical properties (e.g., solid or liquid state, fluidity, and rigidity). By understanding these differences, we can comprehend the internal structure and behavior of our planet.