Earth Structure

Do Now: Describe what you SEE.

Aim: How do we explain the size, shape and structure of Earth? Mr. Lapsley —Earth Science THINGS YOU NEED TO COPY INTO YOUR NOTES WILL BE BLUE.

Created by: Mr. Brandt

I. Size and Shape of Earth 

Earth’s shape is an oblate spheroid. This means that Earth is almost a perfect sphere. – Earth is slightly flattened at the North and South Pole, and slightly stretched around the Equator.

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Earth is slightly flattened because of its rotation. Evidence of Earth’s spherical shape comes from photographs taken from space and the fact that ships appear to sink as they ride over the horizon.

I. Size and Shape of Earth Polar  Diameter: 12,714km

 ^ Equatorial ^ Diameter: 12,756km

II. Earth’s Structure-”Spheres” of Earth A) OUTER “SPHERES” OF EARTH: 1)

The atmosphere: a “bubble” of gases that surrounds Earth

II. Earth’s Structure-”Spheres” of Earth

2) The hydrosphere: a layer of liquid water that lies between the atmosphere and most of Earth’s crust.

The hydrosphere is mostly made up of the oceans, which cover 70% of Earth’s surface!

II. Earth’s Structure-”Spheres” of Earth

3) The Lithosphere (or crust): a layer of rock that forms a thin shell around Earth. The lithosphere is only 100km thick!

II. Earth’s Structure-”Spheres” of Earth

B) INTERIOR “SPHERES” OF EARTH (Everything from the bottom of the lithosphere to the center of Earth.)

Mantle: thick layer made of melted rock Outer Core: thick layer made of melted metal Inner core: a ball of solid metal