Question
Success Criteria
I can compare and contrast
temperature, density, thickness, and
compositio
n of the layers of the Earth
Handdrawn Organic Blackboard Horizontal
Learning Targets
I can ask questions to compare
and contrast the Earth’s crust,
mantle, inner and outer core,
including temperature, density,
thickness, and composition.
WORK SESSION
Students will be able to…answer guiding questions using
textbooks or online resources:
1.Which layer is densest and why?
2. How do convection currents in the mantle affect Earth’s
surface?
3.Why is the inner core solid while the outer core is liquid?
4.How is the crust different from the mantle in thickness and
density? Which one do we live on?”
5. What do you think Earth looks like on the inside? Draw or
describe what you imagine. Label at least two layers.”
Students prepare a 2–3 minute small-group presentation
summarizing one key layer and its properties.
I can compare and contrast
temperature, density, thickness, and
compositio
n of the layers of the Earth
Handdrawn Organic Blackboard Horizontal
Learning Targets
I can ask questions to compare
and contrast the Earth’s crust,
mantle, inner and outer core,
including temperature, density,
thickness, and composition.
WORK SESSION
Students will be able to…answer guiding questions using
textbooks or online resources:
1.Which layer is densest and why?
2. How do convection currents in the mantle affect Earth’s
surface?
3.Why is the inner core solid while the outer core is liquid?
4.How is the crust different from the mantle in thickness and
density? Which one do we live on?”
5. What do you think Earth looks like on the inside? Draw or
describe what you imagine. Label at least two layers.”
Students prepare a 2–3 minute small-group presentation
summarizing one key layer and its properties.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
Below are teacher-ready answers and student-friendly notes you can use for the work session and the 2–3 minute group presentations.
Quick comparison of the four main layers (crust, mantle, outer core, inner core)
- Crust
- Thickness: 5–70 km (oceanic ~5–10 km, continental ~30–70 km)
- Density: ~2.2–3.0 g/cm³ (oceanic higher than continental)
- Temperature: roughly near surface to a few hundred °C at the base
- Composition: silica- and aluminum-rich rocks (basalt on ocean floor, granite on continents)
- We live on the crust.
- Mantle
- Thickness: about 2,900 km (extends from base of crust to core)
- Density: ~3.3–5.6 g/cm³ (increases with depth)
- Temperature: ~500–4,000 °C (warmer with depth)
- Composition: solid but slowly flowing silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron (peridotite)
- Includes the lithosphere (rigid) and asthenosphere (ductile, convecting)
- Outer core
- Thickness: ~2,200 km
- Density: ~9.9–12.2 g/cm³
- Temperature: ~3,700–4,300 °C
- Composition: liquid iron–nickel alloy with lighter elements (S, O, Si)
- The liquid outer core generates Earth’s magnetic field through convection and rotation
- Inner core
- Radius/thickness: ~1,220 km (solid sphere at center)
- Density: ~12.6–13.1 g/cm³ (the densest layer)
- Temperature: ~5,000–6,000 °C
- Composition: mostly solid iron–nickel with some lighter elements
- Solid because pressure is so high that iron’s melting point is raised above the actual temperature
Answers to the guiding questions
1. Which layer is densest and why?
- The inner core is densest (≈12.6–13 g/cm³). High pressure from the weight of the overlying layers compresses the materials to very high densities.
2. How do convection currents in the mantle affect Earth’s surface?
- Mantle convection moves heat and material slowly. These currents drive the motion of tectonic plates, causing seafloor spreading, continental drift, subduction, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.
3. Why is the inner core solid while the outer core is liquid?
- Both are extremely hot, but pressure increases toward the center. In the inner core the pressure is so high that the melting temperature of iron is raised above the local temperature, so iron is solid; in the outer core pressure is lower enough (and temperature high enough) for iron to be liquid.
4. How is the crust different from the mantle in thickness and density? Which one do we live on?
- The crust is thin (5–70 km) and low in density (≈2.2–3.0 g/cm³). The mantle is much thicker (~2,900 km) and denser (~3.3–5.6 g/cm³). We live on the crust.
5. What does Earth look like on the inside? (drawing/description prompt)
- Simple description students can use: “Layered like an onion. Thin crust on the outside, thick mantle beneath it (lithosphere on top of a slowly flowing asthenosphere), then a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.” Label at least two layers (e.g., crust and core), and add arrows showing temperature and density increasing toward the center.
2–3 minute small-group presentation structure (easy to rehearse)
- Slide/board 1 (10–20 seconds): Name of group and the layer you’re summarizing
- Slide/board 2 (30–40 seconds): Quick facts — thickness, temperature range, density range
- Slide/board 3 (30–40 seconds): Composition and special properties (e.g., liquid metal makes magnetic field)
- Slide/board 4 (30–40 seconds): Why this layer matters to Earth’s surface or life (e.g., crust = where we live; mantle = drives plate tectonics)
- Final 10–20 seconds: One clear labeled drawing or diagram and one interesting fact
Presentation tips for students
- Use one clear diagram and label the layer(s) discussed.
- Give 3–4 bullet facts — not full paragraphs.
- Practice a 30-second summary sentence that explains why the layer is important.
Quick checklist for your lesson
- Ensure students label at least two layers on their drawings (crust + mantle or core).
- Have students cite one textbook or website for their facts.
- Optionally assess with a simple rubric: accuracy (3), clarity (2), drawing/labels (2), teamwork/voice (1) — total 8.
If you want, I can produce:
- A printable one-page student handout with the comparison table and space for the drawing and notes.
- A short rubric or slide template for the 2–3 minute presentations.
Quick comparison of the four main layers (crust, mantle, outer core, inner core)
- Crust
- Thickness: 5–70 km (oceanic ~5–10 km, continental ~30–70 km)
- Density: ~2.2–3.0 g/cm³ (oceanic higher than continental)
- Temperature: roughly near surface to a few hundred °C at the base
- Composition: silica- and aluminum-rich rocks (basalt on ocean floor, granite on continents)
- We live on the crust.
- Mantle
- Thickness: about 2,900 km (extends from base of crust to core)
- Density: ~3.3–5.6 g/cm³ (increases with depth)
- Temperature: ~500–4,000 °C (warmer with depth)
- Composition: solid but slowly flowing silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron (peridotite)
- Includes the lithosphere (rigid) and asthenosphere (ductile, convecting)
- Outer core
- Thickness: ~2,200 km
- Density: ~9.9–12.2 g/cm³
- Temperature: ~3,700–4,300 °C
- Composition: liquid iron–nickel alloy with lighter elements (S, O, Si)
- The liquid outer core generates Earth’s magnetic field through convection and rotation
- Inner core
- Radius/thickness: ~1,220 km (solid sphere at center)
- Density: ~12.6–13.1 g/cm³ (the densest layer)
- Temperature: ~5,000–6,000 °C
- Composition: mostly solid iron–nickel with some lighter elements
- Solid because pressure is so high that iron’s melting point is raised above the actual temperature
Answers to the guiding questions
1. Which layer is densest and why?
- The inner core is densest (≈12.6–13 g/cm³). High pressure from the weight of the overlying layers compresses the materials to very high densities.
2. How do convection currents in the mantle affect Earth’s surface?
- Mantle convection moves heat and material slowly. These currents drive the motion of tectonic plates, causing seafloor spreading, continental drift, subduction, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.
3. Why is the inner core solid while the outer core is liquid?
- Both are extremely hot, but pressure increases toward the center. In the inner core the pressure is so high that the melting temperature of iron is raised above the local temperature, so iron is solid; in the outer core pressure is lower enough (and temperature high enough) for iron to be liquid.
4. How is the crust different from the mantle in thickness and density? Which one do we live on?
- The crust is thin (5–70 km) and low in density (≈2.2–3.0 g/cm³). The mantle is much thicker (~2,900 km) and denser (~3.3–5.6 g/cm³). We live on the crust.
5. What does Earth look like on the inside? (drawing/description prompt)
- Simple description students can use: “Layered like an onion. Thin crust on the outside, thick mantle beneath it (lithosphere on top of a slowly flowing asthenosphere), then a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.” Label at least two layers (e.g., crust and core), and add arrows showing temperature and density increasing toward the center.
2–3 minute small-group presentation structure (easy to rehearse)
- Slide/board 1 (10–20 seconds): Name of group and the layer you’re summarizing
- Slide/board 2 (30–40 seconds): Quick facts — thickness, temperature range, density range
- Slide/board 3 (30–40 seconds): Composition and special properties (e.g., liquid metal makes magnetic field)
- Slide/board 4 (30–40 seconds): Why this layer matters to Earth’s surface or life (e.g., crust = where we live; mantle = drives plate tectonics)
- Final 10–20 seconds: One clear labeled drawing or diagram and one interesting fact
Presentation tips for students
- Use one clear diagram and label the layer(s) discussed.
- Give 3–4 bullet facts — not full paragraphs.
- Practice a 30-second summary sentence that explains why the layer is important.
Quick checklist for your lesson
- Ensure students label at least two layers on their drawings (crust + mantle or core).
- Have students cite one textbook or website for their facts.
- Optionally assess with a simple rubric: accuracy (3), clarity (2), drawing/labels (2), teamwork/voice (1) — total 8.
If you want, I can produce:
- A printable one-page student handout with the comparison table and space for the drawing and notes.
- A short rubric or slide template for the 2–3 minute presentations.
There are no human answers yet. A form for humans to post answers is coming very soon!