Structure of the Earth (WJEC GCSE Chemistry)
Revision Note
Structure of the Earth
The structure of the Earth consists of four main layers:
Inner core
Outer core
Mantle
Crust
Structure of the Earth Diagram
The Earth consists of the inner core, outer core, mantle and crust
Composition of the Earth
Layer | Thickness (km) | Composition |
|---|---|---|
Inner core | 1400 | A solid and dense layer composed of iron and nickel at around 5500 °C |
Outer core | 2100 | A liquid layer composed of iron and nickel at about 5000 - 5500 °C |
Mantle | 2900 | A layer of semi-molten rock which is less dense than the outer core |
Crust | Variable | A layer of solid rock which is less dense than the mantle |
The thickness of the crust ranges from 5 to 70 km thick, with an average thickness of 20 km
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