Warm Up #7 What materials are found in the geosphere?

Lesson 2: The Geosphere

Essential Questions How do materials in the geosphere differ? Why does the geosphere have a layered structure?

What can you learn from a core sample? Activity Layers of Earth’s crust can be studied easily when they are exposed on the side of a cliff. To learn about layers that are buried scientists often drill into the ground to get a core sample. A core sample is a sample of rock and soil taken from inside Earth’s upper crust. Place thin and thick layers of different colored salt dough in a bowl. Push a clear straw straight down into the clay with a slight twisting motion. Slowly remove the straw. Use scissors to snip off the end of the straw containing the sample. Place each sample separately on the paper squares. What do you notice about each of the samples?

Minerals What are the characteristics of a mineral?

Minerals What are the characteristics of a mineral? Naturally occurring Inorganic Solid Crystal structure A definite chemical composition

Mineral Properties What properties could you use to identify an unknown mineral?

Mineral Properties What properties could you use to identify an unknown mineral? Luster – the way a mineral’s surface reflects light Streak – the color of a mineral’s powder Hardness How can you test the hardness of a mineral? Cleavage – the tendency of minerals to break along smooth, flat surfaces Fracture – the tendency of minerals to break along irregular surfaces

Rocks What is a rock? What are the 3 types of rocks?

Rocks What is a rock? What are the 3 types of rocks? A naturally occurring solid composed of minerals What are the 3 types of rocks? Igneous Metamorphic sedimentary

Rock types How do igneous rocks form? How do metamorphic rocks form? How do sedimentary rocks form?

Rock types How do igneous rocks form? How do metamorphic rocks form? Molten rock material cools and hardens How do metamorphic rocks form? Sedimentary, igneous, or other metamorphic rocks are subjected to high temperatures and extreme pressure How do sedimentary rocks form? Sediment is eroded, deposited in layers, and over time the weight from the upper layers compress the lower layers causing it to compact and cement together BrainPOP - Weathering

Warm Up #8 What is soil?

Soil Loose, weathered material in which plants grow Plays a major part in phosphorus and carbon cycle How does soil form?

Soil Loose, weathered material in which plants grow How does soil form? Rocks weather into sediment Water takes minerals from sediment for soil Waste from animals add nutrients Nutrients also added from decaying bodies

Structure of the Geosphere Why do you think the geosphere is layered? Think of a hard boiled egg like the geosphere Three main layers of geosphere Crust Mantle Core What is the composition of the upper and lower mantle? Compare and contrast the outer core and the inner core?

Earth’s Crust Crust – the outer layer of the geosphere, made of brittle rocks 2 types: Oceanic – under the oceans made of dense igneous rocks basalt and gabbro Continental – makes up the continents that’s thicker than oceanic crust Made of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks How does the thickness of the oceanic crust and continental crust compare? How would an increase in the height of the mountains affect the thickness of the crust in that area?

Earth’s Mantle Mantle – the thick, rocky middle layer of the geosphere Uppermost mantle similar to rocks in crust Lithosphere – the crust and the uppermost mantle form a brittle outer layer Asthenosphere – this weak, partially melted layer of the mantle Where is the lithosphere located in relationship to the asthenosphere? What do you think the texture of the rock is in the asthenosphere?

Earth’s Core Core – the dense, metallic center of Earth 2 layers: Outer Core - liquid Inner Core – solid metal, extremely hot In which layer of the geosphere does Earth’s magnetic field originate?