Layers of the Earth Worksheet for 10-Year-Olds — Earth's Core | Grade 5 Science

Instructions

Read each section carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Have fun exploring what's deep inside our planet!

Journey to the Center of the Earth!

Did you know that the very center of the Earth is as hot as the surface of the sun? This super-hot center is called the core. It's like a planet within our planet! The core is split into two parts: a liquid outer core that spins around and a solid inner core made of metal. Let's dig in and learn more!

1. Label the Layers

Imagine you could slice the Earth in half. You would see four main layers. Use the words from the Word Bank to label each layer described below.

Word Bank: Mantle, Crust, Inner Core, Outer Core

• The very thin, rocky layer we live on: ____________________
• The thickest layer, made of hot, flowing rock: ____________________
• The layer made of liquid metal that creates Earth's magnetic field: ____________________
• The solid, metal ball at the very center of the Earth: ____________________

2. Core Facts: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences below using words from the box. You may use some words more than once.

1. The Earth's core is mostly made of the metals ____________________ and ____________________.
2. The outer core is a ____________________, but the inner core is a ____________________.
3. The movement in the liquid outer core creates Earth's protective ____________________.
4. Even though it's incredibly hot, the immense ____________________ from all the layers above it squeezes the inner core into a solid ball.

3. True or False?

Read each statement. Circle or write T for True or F for False.

• T / F     The inner core is the hottest part of the Earth.
• T / F     The Earth's core is made of rock, just like the crust.
• T / F     The outer core is solid and doesn't move.
• T / F     We have never been able to drill a tunnel to the Earth's core.

4. Vocabulary Scramble

Unscramble the letters to spell out important words about Earth's layers.

1. CREO: ____________________
2. NRIO: ____________________
3. MTALEN: ____________________
4. IULDIQ: ____________________

5. Think About It!

The Earth's magnetic field, created by the outer core, acts like an invisible shield that protects us from harmful particles from the sun. What do you think might happen if the outer core stopped spinning and the magnetic field disappeared?

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Answer Key

1. Label the Layers

• The very thin, rocky layer we live on: Crust
• The thickest layer, made of hot, flowing rock: Mantle
• The layer made of liquid metal that creates Earth's magnetic field: Outer Core
• The solid, metal ball at the very center of the Earth: Inner Core

2. Core Facts: Fill in the Blanks

1. The Earth's core is mostly made of the metals iron and nickel.
2. The outer core is a liquid, but the inner core is a solid.
3. The movement in the liquid outer core creates Earth's protective magnetic field.
4. Even though it's incredibly hot, the immense pressure from all the layers above it squeezes the inner core into a solid ball.

3. True or False?

• T     The inner core is the hottest part of the Earth.
• F     The Earth's core is made of rock, just like the crust. (It's made of metal.)
• F     The outer core is solid and doesn't move. (It's a spinning liquid.)
• T     We have never been able to drill a tunnel to the Earth's core.

4. Vocabulary Scramble

1. CREO: CORE
2. NRIO: IRON
3. MTALEN: MANTLE
4. IULDIQ: LIQUID

5. Think About It!

(Answers will vary, but should show understanding of the magnetic field's purpose. Example answer:)

If the magnetic field disappeared, harmful radiation from the sun could reach Earth. This could harm people and animals, damage our satellites and power grids, and might even strip away our atmosphere over a long time.