Why is the inner core solid but the outer core is in a molten state?

Why is the inner core solid but the outer core is in a molten state?

Scientists know that the outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid because: S-waves do not go through the outer core. The strong magnetic field is caused by convection in the liquid outer core. Convection currents in the outer core are due to heat from the even hotter inner core.

Why is the Earth’s inner core solid?

As Earth cooled over time, the temperature at the centre of the planet eventually dropped below the melting point of iron at extreme pressures, and the inner core started to crystallise.

What differs outer from inner core?

The inner core and the outer core are made up of similar stuff chemically (both are made mostly of iron, with a little nickel and some other chemical elements)–the difference between them is that the outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid.

Why is the inner core solid and the outer core liquid quizlet?

Inner core – High pressure from the other layers at the Earth center makes the inner core solid. Outer core – It is liquid because the temperature is high and there is not enough pressure to make it solid.

Why is the inner core solid even though it is hotter than the outer liquid core quizlet?

S waves pass through it, but P waves do not. Why is the inner core solid even though it is hotter than the outer liquid core? The great pressure at Earth’s center forces the atoms in the core together, causing it to solidify.

How does the inner core remain solid?

An energy distribution cycle keeps the core solid despite it being hotter than the surface of the Sun. Scientists have discovered why the crystallised iron core of the Earth remains solid, despite being hotter than the surface of the Sun. This energy distribution cycle keeps the crystal stable and the core solid.

What is the temperature of the inner core?

about 5,200° Celsius
The inner core is a hot, dense ball of (mostly) iron. It has a radius of about 1,220 kilometers (758 miles). Temperature in the inner core is about 5,200° Celsius (9,392° Fahrenheit). The pressure is nearly 3.6 million atmosphere (atm).

What is the biggest difference between the inner core and the outer core?

Main Difference: The main difference between the inner core and outer core of the earth is that inner core of the earth is the innermost layer of our planet, whereas outer core is the layer that surrounds the inner core.

Why is the inner core solid quizlet?

The Earth’s Inner core is solid because there is so much pressure exerted that it can only exist in the solid form. The outer core is liquid iron and nickel. Again, it is very dense but because it is in its liquid form it is less dense than solid and forms the outer core. Rigid means that it is a solid.

How do we know that the inner core is solid?

Seismic waves traveling through the earth refract for the same reason that light refracts when entering different substances (e.g. air, water). The inner core has a different density from the outer core, and this difference in density tells us that it is solid.

What is the heat of the inner core?

The inner core is a hot, dense ball of (mostly) iron. Temperature in the inner core is about 5,200° Celsius (9,392° Fahrenheit). The pressure is nearly 3.6 million atmosphere (atm). The temperature of the inner core is far above the melting point of iron.

How is heat transferred from the inner core to the outer core?

Conduction: Heat is transferred through rapid collisions of atoms, which can only happen if the material is solid. Heat flows from warmer to cooler places until all are the same temperature. The mantle is hot mostly because of heat conducted from the core.

Why is the inner core solid even at high temperature?

The inner core is solid because it is made of very dense, or heavy, materials – like iron and nickel. Even though it is very hot, these materials don’t “melt” very easily, so they stay solid. It turns out that many materials can be a solid at a higher temperature if the pressure is also higher.

Why is the outer core of the Earth a liquid?

The outer core can be a liquid because at a certain depth, the pressure of the earth above it is not enough to keep it from melting.

Why do materials stay solid at a higher temperature?

Even though it is very hot, these materials don’t “melt” very easily, so they stay solid. It turns out that many materials can be a solid at a higher temperature if the pressure is also higher. So, even though it is hotter in the inner core, the pressure in the core is also higher, and you can have solid iron-nickel instead of liquid.

What kind of material is the inner core made of?

The inner core is solid because it is made of very dense, or heavy, materials – like iron and nickel. Even though it is very hot, these materials don’t “melt” very easily, so they stay solid. Answer 3: It turns out that many materials can be a solid at a higher temperature if the pressure is also higher.