1. Earth’s Layers Topic 3 Lesson 1 Notes Created by Kesler Science
Created by Kesler Science – More 5E lessons at KeslerScience.com
Topic 3 Lesson 1 Notes
Created by Kesler Science
modified by Mrs. Gamble pic 3 Lesson 1 Notes

2. Essential Questions:
What are the main characteristics of the Earth’s layers?
How can the Earth’s layers be illustrated?

3. Earth’s Crust Earth's Layers The outer layer of the Earth
Similar to the skin on an apple (thinnest layer)
Made up of both continental (land)and oceanic crust(under the ocean)
5-40 km thick
Thickest under mountains (as much as 80km)
Thinnest beneath the ocean floor
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4. Earth's Layers Venn Diagram- TO DO
Draw the picture to the right on your paper >>>>>
Complete the Venn Diagram as we go through the notes .
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5. Earth's Layers Oceanic Crust
A thin layer of crust that overlies the ocean basins
More dense than continental crust
Mostly basalt rock
Thinner that continental crust. (5-10km)
Younger (newer) than continental crust- formed last
Page 88 of your book
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6. Continental Crust Earth's Layers
Layer of rock which forms the continents
Less dense than oceanic crust
Mostly granite
Thicker that oceanic crust
Older than oceanic crust
Page 88 of your book
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7. Quick Action – INB Template
Earth's Layers INB Template
Cut out the four INB templates to form a flip book.
This is page 4 and should be completely pasted into your notebook.
The following 3 pages will attach only at the top.
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8. Quick Action – INB Template
Page 3
Page 2
Page 1
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9. Quick Action – Earth's Layers
M&M Layers of the Earth
Give each student a peanut M&M (if allowed by the school).
Bite the M&M in half observing the layers.
Draw and label the M&M on the INB template that corresponds to that layer.
What are some of the limitations of this model?
Outer candy shell – crust
White line between the shell and the chocolate – asthenosphere
Chocolate – mantle
Peanut – both cores
One of the main limitations of this model is that it isn’t to scale. The other is that the peanut represents two layers of the Earth. Explain the limitations.
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10. Crust Earth's Layers The outer layer of the earth
Similar to the skin on an apple (thinnest layer)
Made up of both continental (land)and oceanic crust(under the ocean).
5-50 km thick
Page 88 of your book
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11. Earth's Layers Lithosphere
Solid outer section of the Earth, which includes the crust (rocky layer)
100km thick
Also, includes the cool, dense, rigid upper part of the mantle
Page 89 of your book
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12. Earth's Layers Asthenosphere Solid part of the upper mantle
Weaker, less rigid (plasticity - like silly putty)
Crust moves over the plastic-like asthenosphere
These plates crash into each other.
Here the oceanic crust is subducting under the continental crust which creates volcanoes.
If you’re brave, you can let students play with silly putty or make your own concoction of slime. There are
lots of recipes on the Internet. They represent the properties of a solid but move like a liquid.
Page 89 of your book
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13. Earth's Layers Mantle Largest layer of the Earth About 3000km thick
Composed of silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron
Intense heat causes the rocks to rise and then cool and sink.
The process is called convection, which causes the crust to move.
Average temperature 3000o
Page 89 of your book
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14. Outer Core Earth's Layers Liquid layer 2,300 km thick, second largest
Composed of liquid iron and nickel
Lies between inner core and mantle
Because the magma moves around the inner core, Earth’s magnetic field is created.
Average temperature 4000o -5000o
Page of your book
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15. Earth's Layers Inner Core A solid ball of metal 1,250 km thick
Made of solid nickel and iron
So hot it melts everything in the outer core
Spins at a speed faster than the Earth rotates
Densest layer of the Earth
Average temperature 5000o o
Page of your book
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16. Quick Action – Earth's Layers
Take a break. Get up and dance
Teacher needs to queue this up prior to the slide as it will not link from PP.
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17. Check for Understanding
Can you…
List the characteristics of each of the Earth’s layers?
Illustrate the Earth’s layers?
Clear up any confusion and answer questions.
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