Layers of the Earth

What You'll Learn

Earth has three main layers: the thin outer crust, the thick mantle, and the dense core. The core has a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer made mostly of iron.

Key Words

fossil
mineral

Materials Needed

cups
thermometer
rain gauge

Safety First

Keep small objects away from young children.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Review the background information on Earth Systems before starting.

Step 2 — Do

Model erosion: tilt a tray of soil and pour water from a cup at the top. Observe how channels form. Try adding plants or rocks to slow the erosion.

Step 3 — Observe

Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.

Step 4 — Record

Create a data table to organize your measurements.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What causes earthquakes?