Why the “Mission to Earth’s core” proposal suggests using liquid iron instead of lead?

Asked by: Aaron Howell

Why do scientists think the Earth’s core is liquid?

Two kinds of waves created by earthquakes are compressional (P) waves and shear (S) waves. Both of these waves can travel through solids, but S waves cannot travel through liquids. Scientists figured out that the outer core must be liquid because S waves do not pass through it, but P waves do.

Why you think the outer core is a liquid and the inner core is a solid?

The metallic nickel–iron outer core is liquid because of the high temperature. However, the intense pressure, which increases towards the inner core, dramatically changes the melting point of the nickel–iron, making it solid.

Why do scientists think the core is made of iron?

If the core were made out of lead, then gravity would be stronger. Also, iron is the most common reasonably dense metal in the universe (because of how nuclear fusion works in stars), so it makes sense that the core is mostly iron.

Why is most of the Earth’s iron in the core?

Earth’s core was formed very early in our planet’s 4.5 billion-year history, within the first 200 million years. Gravity pulled the heavier iron to the centre of the young planet, leaving the rocky, silicate minerals to make up the mantle and crust.

What is the evidence that Earth’s outer core is liquid?

Seismic-Wave Data



Both P waves and S waves can travel through solids, but the only P waves can travel through liquids. Seismic wave data shows that S waves do not pass through the outer core, and thus this part of the planet’s interior must be liquid.

How do we know that the Earth’s core is iron?

Laboratory experiments and analysis of seismic wave velocities seem to indicate that the inner core consists specifically of ε-iron, a crystalline form of the metal with the hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure. That structure can still admit the inclusion of small amounts of nickel and other elements.

What do you think is the reason why the outer core is liquid while the inner core remains solid Brainly?

earths inner core is solid because the high pressure prevents it from the melting. And the outer core is liquid because the pressure is lower in that part of the earth.

Is the outer core solid or liquid or gas?

Beneath the mantle lies the core. The outer core is a liquid mix of iron and nickel, but the inner core is solid metal. Sometimes, hot molten rock, called magma, bursts through Earth’s surface in the form of a volcano. Earth’s inner core is as hot as the surface of the sun—about 10,000ºF (5,500ºC).

Is the Earth’s core solid or liquid?

solid

The core of the Earth is made up mainly of iron, in an outer liquid layer and an inner solid layer. The outer core is where the circulating conducting liquid generates the geodynamo, responsible for our magnetic field.

Why is Earth’s core iron and not gold?

But why is the inner core made of an iron-nickel alloy? The only reasons that I could come up with (they are kind of crazy) is that: A. The iron-nickel alloy that composes the inner core is heavier than other elements in the mantle and outer core, causing it to sink to the center of earth.

What is the liquid part of the core?

The core is the centre of the earth and is made up of two parts: the liquid outer core and solid inner core. The outer core is made of nickel, iron and molten rock.



The core.

Why does the core of the earth consists of iron instead of elements like hydrogen and Aluminium?

Answer. Answer: Iron is a relatively dense element under normal conditions, and under the extreme pressure at the Earth’s core it would be crushed to an even higher density, so an iron core would account for all that missing mass.

Which statement best explains why Earth’s outer core is in liquid form?

Which statement best explains why Earth’s outer core is in liquid form? The iron-nickel alloy melts due to hot temperatures.

Which statement best explains why Earth’s core contains such high percentages of iron and nickel?

Which statement best explains why Earth’s core contains such high percentages of iron and nickel? When Earth was still molten, gravity pulled dense elements down to Earth’s center.

What is the evidence that Earth’s outer core is liquid quizlet?

Solution. The evidence which indicates that Earth’s outer core is liquid lies in the fact that S waves do not pass through the outer core. In addition to that, the outer core bends P waves.

Is the Earth’s inner core solid or liquid?

solid

The core of the Earth is made up mainly of iron, in an outer liquid layer and an inner solid layer. The outer core is where the circulating conducting liquid generates the geodynamo, responsible for our magnetic field.

What is liquid iron core?

The outer core is the third layer of the Earth. It is the only liquid layer, and is mainly made up of the metals iron and nickel, as well as small amounts of other substances. The outer core is responsible for Earth’s magnetic field. As Earth spins on its axis, the iron inside the liquid outer core moves around.

Which layer of the Earth is liquid?

The outer core

The outer core is the liquid largely iron layer of the earth that lies below the mantle. Geologists have confirmed that the outer core is liquid due to seismic surveys of Earth’s interior. The outer core is 2,300 km thick and goes down to approximately 3,400 km into the earth.