Starter quiz
Which planet is Earth in the order from the Sun?- first
- second
- third ✓
- fourth
-
- Earth’s surface is mostly covered by ______.
- 'water' ✓
- What shape is Earth?
- flat
- spherical ✓
- cubic
- cylindrical
-
- Which of the following states of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape?
- solid
- liquid ✓
- gas
-
- The ______ of a material determines how much space it takes up.
- 'volume' ✓
- A scientific ______ is a representation of a part of the natural world that is difficult to observe directly.
- 'model' ✓
Exit quiz
- Match the following key terms to their definition.
- crust⇔The rocky, outermost layer of Earth. ✓
- mantle⇔A layer of dense rock found below the crust. ✓
- outer core⇔A liquid layer of mostly iron and nickel. ✓
- inner core⇔A solid ball of mostly iron that lies at the centre of Earth. ✓
- Why do scientists use models to study Earth's structure?
- Models are easier to understand than real data.
- Earth's structure cannot be observed directly. ✓
- Models are more accurate than measurements.
- Earth's structure is simple and doesn't require models.
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- Which layer of Earth is partially covered in water?
- crust ✓
- mantle
- outer core
- inner core
-
- The ______ is a layer of dense rock below the crust that behaves as a fluid over very long geological time scales.
- 'mantle' ✓
- Why do scientists often simplify Earth's structure into four main layers (crust, mantle, outer core, inner core) even though there are many more sub-layers?
- Because the additional layers are not important.
- To make it easier to understand and study Earth's structure. ✓
- Because the additional layers do not affect Earth's overall structure.
- To ignore the complexity of Earth's interior.
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- What happens to temperature and pressure as you go deeper towards Earth's centre?
- Both temperature and pressure decrease.
- Temperature increases, but pressure decreases.
- Both temperature and pressure increase. ✓
- Temperature decreases, but pressure increases.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Earth is a spherical, rocky planet with a thin crust, partially covered in water.
- Under Earth’s crust is a dense rocky layer, called the mantle.
- In the centre of Earth is a solid metallic core surrounded by a liquid outer core.
- Temperature and pressure increases towards the centre of Earth, making the inner core extremely hot and solid.
- Scientists use models to better understand phenomena, including Earth's structure.
Common misconception
Pupils struggle to appreciate the relative scales between each layer and features of the mantle.
Use common models (boiled egg or an orange) to stress the relative sizes and use multiple demonstrations to model features of the mantle.
Keywords
Crust - The rocky, outermost layer of Earth.
Mantle - A layer of dense rock found below the crust. Parts of it behave as a fluid over very long, geological time scales.
Outer core - The outer core is a liquid layer of mostly iron and nickel that lies between the mantle and inner core.
Inner core - The inner core is a solid ball of mostly iron that lies at the centre of Earth, within the outer core.
Model - Used by scientists to represent parts of the natural world that are difficult to observe or explain directly.
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