Earth's Core
The Earth’s core is a super-hot and dense sphere almost as big as the planet Mars.
The core has two parts: a solid inner core, which is like a giant metal ball, and a liquid outer core, made of molten, flowing metal.
The inner core is mostly made of dense metals like iron that sank to the planet’s center when Earth formed around 4.5 billion years ago.
The outer core is essential for life on Earth; as the liquid metal flows, it creates Earth’s magnetic field, which acts like a protective shield against harmful solar radiation.
The Earth’s core is too deep and hot to access directly. So, how do scientists study it?
One way is by examining metallic meteorites made of iron and nickel. These are believed to be fragments of ancient planetary cores that broke apart; studying them helps scientists uncover secrets about Earth's core.
Another method involves seismic waves. Some waves travel through both solids and liquids, while others move only through solids
The Earth’s core is a super-hot and dense sphere almost as big as the planet Mars.
The core has two parts: a solid inner core, which is like a giant metal ball, and a liquid outer core, made of molten, flowing metal.
The inner core is mostly made of dense metals like iron that sank to the planet’s center when Earth formed around 4.5 billion years ago.
The outer core is essential for life on Earth; as the liquid metal flows, it creates Earth’s magnetic field, which acts like a protective shield against harmful solar radiation.
The Earth’s core is too deep and hot to access directly. So, how do scientists study it?
One way is by examining metallic meteorites made of iron and nickel. These are believed to be fragments of ancient planetary cores that broke apart; studying them helps scientists uncover secrets about Earth's core.
Another method involves seismic waves. Some waves travel through both solids and liquids, while others move only through solids
The Earth’s core is a super-hot and dense sphere almost as big as the planet Mars.
The core has two parts: a solid inner core, which is like a giant metal ball, and a liquid outer core, made of molten, flowing metal.
The inner core is mostly made of dense metals like iron that sank to the planet’s center when Earth formed around 4.5 billion years ago.
The outer core is essential for life on Earth; as the liquid metal flows, it creates Earth’s magnetic field, which acts like a protective shield against harmful solar radiation.
The Earth’s core is too deep and hot to access directly. So, how do scientists study it?
One way is by examining metallic meteorites made of iron and nickel. These are believed to be fragments of ancient planetary cores that broke apart; studying them helps scientists uncover secrets about Earth's core.
Another method involves seismic waves. Some waves travel through both solids and liquids, while others move only through solids
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