The Structure of Earth Quick Check
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Question
How do the mass and the density of the mantle compare with the mass and density of Earth’s core?(1 point)
Responses
The mantle’s mass and its density are less than that of the core.
The mantle’s mass and its density are less than that of the core.
The mantle’s mass and its density are greater than that of the core.
The mantle’s mass and its density are greater than that of the core.
The mantle’s mass is greater than the core’s mass, but with less density.
The mantle’s mass is greater than the core’s mass, but with less density.
The mantle’s mass is less than the core’s mass, but with greater density.
The mantle's mass is less than the core's mass, but with greater density.
The correct answer is: The mantle’s mass is greater than the core’s mass, but with less density.
To determine how the mass and density of the mantle compare with the mass and density of the Earth's core, we need to understand the composition of these layers.
The mantle is the layer of the Earth located between the crust and the core. It is primarily composed of silicate minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene. These minerals are denser than the materials found in the Earth's crust.
On the other hand, the core is divided into an outer core and an inner core. The outer core is primarily composed of liquid iron and nickel, while the inner core is solid due to higher pressure. The materials in the core are much denser than those in the mantle.
Considering this information, we can conclude that the mass of the mantle is greater than the core's mass. This is because the mantle is a much larger layer in terms of volume. However, the density of the mantle is lower than that of the core. The core's materials, being composed of heavy metals, have a higher density compared to the silicate minerals found in the mantle.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
The mantle’s mass is greater than the core’s mass, but with less density.