How would the Earth change, or be different, if the inner core were made out of bubble gum instead of iron? By Bridgette Fincher ASIJ 4th Grade 1998
The Inner Core Definition: The inner core is the part of the Earth found right in the very center. It is solid, thick and dense. It is made up of an iron-rich alloy of metals. It has a pressure of 3,640,000 atmospheres. The temperature is 300 degrees Fahrenheit. It provides heat to the mantle and crust.
Bubble Gum Definition: Bubble gum is a type of sweet candy that goes in your mouth and you chew it. It is made up of five different parts- a chewing gum base, sugar, softeners, flavorings, and colors. Rosin, from pine trees, is used to keep the gum texture correct. Oil is used to make the gum soft. It is stiff and bread-like when it is dry. It is sticky when it is wet and chewed. Ice, peanut butter, mayonnaise and oil can all be used to remove bubble gum from clothes and hair.
Iron Definition: It is a chemical element that is in the metal group of the Periodic Table. (Fe) Iron is the type of metal found most often in the whole Earth. It is about 35% of all the metals. As a solid, it makes up most of the Earth’s inner core. It is a solid up to a temperature of 2,541 degrees Fahrenheit. Below 1,420 degrees Fahrenheit iron is very magnetic.
Prediction If the inner core was made out of bubble gum, rather than iron, this is what I think would happen. First of all, the Earth would have no magnetic poles because iron is magnetic and causes the poles. Gum is not magnetic. Thus, there would be no poles. If we did not have any magnetic poles, no compasses would have been invented. People would have only had the stars, and instruments that used them, to travel by. Secondly, because of the high temperature and pressure in the inner core, I think gum would not be strong enough to withstand them. Iron is thick and heavy. It can stand a lot of heat and pressure. Gum is not. Gum is brittle and hard when it is dry. If you stand on a very dry stick of gum, it will crack and break. I think that gum would crumble in the middle of the Earth. This would cause holes to be formed. The mantle and the crust would start to fall into the center of the Earth. This would cause the planet to lose its shape, and implode, ending life as we know it on this planet!
Sources Books: Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. Volume Sites: Amurol Confections, Inc.