Note Pack #5 AIM: What does Density have to do with the Earth? DO NOW: Why do you think making a tunnel from New York to China is impossible? Tunnel to China

The Layers of the Earth The Earth is a planet which was formed about 4.5 billion years ago. In the beginning, the Earth was a ball of liquid rock, but as the Earth cooled, materials that were very dense began to sink towards the center. Those material that were not so dense, stayed toward the surface. As a result, layers formed inside the Earth.

Less Dense Most Dense

Can we go to the center of the Earth? As you dig deep into the Earth, the temperature begins to rises. The temperature rises as the results of the pressure building up from the rocks being piled up on top of each other. The deeper you go the more rocks are pressing down therefore more heat. More pressure = more heat

Earth’s Interior Chart On page 10 of your reference booklet, you will find the “Inferred Properties of Earth’s Interior” chart. This chart is actually 3 charts that work together.

Earth’s Interior Chart (cont) This part of the chart shows the names and the densities of the 5 main layers of the Earth. Lithosphere Asthenosphere Mantle Outer Core Inner Core

The Lithosphere or crust (solid) is the outer most layer of the Earth The Lithosphere or crust (solid) is the outer most layer of the Earth. It contains all the land and oceans of the world. There are 2 types of crust: Continental Crust – which holds all the land. Oceanic Crust- which hold all the oceans. Oceanic Crust is more dense than Continental crust The Asthenosphere is the second layer in which the crust “floats” on. It consists of half melted rock (solid and liquid) The Mantle (magma) is liquid rock. This is where all rocks are formed The Outer and Inner Cores consist of very dense material- The Outer core is liquid and the Inner core is solid

The bottom 2 charts show relationships. The top chart shows the relationship between pressure and depth. The bottom chart shows the relationship between temperature and depth.

Classwork – based on p 10 What is the density of the continental crust? What is the density of the oceanic crust? Which one will go below the other it the other if the oceanic and continental crust were to collide? What is the most dense layer of the Earth? What it the temperature of the inner core? What is the pressure of the inner core?

The Layers of the Earth (atmosphere) The Earth also has layers that surround it. (the atmosphere) These layers are formed by difference in density too. Those layers closest to the surface of the Earth are the most dense. Those layers further away from the crust (or closest to outer space) is the least dense

The Atmosphere chart is on top of P. 14 Troposphere – the air we breathe- close to the surface – where all weather happens. Stratosphere – where the ozone layer is Mesosphere – where ozone is created Thermosphere – the highest layer of the atmosphere

This chart also shows relationships Temperature Zones – shows relationships between temperature and altitude Atmospheric Pressure– shows relationships between pressure and altitude Water Vapor – shows relationships between the amount of water in the air and altitude

What is the altitude of the mesopause?

 altitude of the mesopause = 80km or 50 mi

Classwork – based on p 14 What is the altitude of the stratopause? Planes fly above the troposphere - guess a possible altitude for a plane in flight. Which happens to the amount of water vapor as you increase altitude of the atmosphere? What the lowest temperature in the the thermosphere? What is the the air pressure of the tropopause?