The Molten Core Theory Essay -- Geology Education Earth Essays

The Molten Core Theory The center of the Earth is composed of a solid metallic core surrounded by a molten layer of liquid metal. This paper will discuss the reasons to believe the theory that the Earth has a molten core, and the important discoveries that have led to this generally accepted theory. It is very reasonable to agree with this theory when paying credence to the logical evidence that answers questions about the Earth’s core. This evidence includes information about the elemental make up of the Earth, the reason for the Earth’s magnetic field, and some of the possibilities of the Earth’s formation. Dr. Ken Rubin, an assistant professor of geology at the University of Hawaii. Explains that the Earth is made up of an accumulation of all of the known elements combined in different forms to make the various rocks, and minerals that are present in the crust, mantle, and core of the Earth. With the understanding of these elements and their properties we can begin to make judgments on the harder to observe questions, like that of the Earth’s interior make up. Knowing the properties allows for the determination of things on a much larger scale, such as the density of the Earth, which is crucial to understanding the Earth’s core. Much of what is known about the Earth can be learned from observing the other planets in our solar system. Every planet has a different mass and density. That means that planets create varied gravitational pulls on each other. By testing the effects of the Earth’s orbit on that of the other planets it becomes possible to estimate an overall density for the planet. Knowing the density of the Earth is extremely important to understanding it’s interior structure. Returning to ... ...it’s basic structure. Along with the new evidence of the Earth’s magnetic field originating in the Earth’s core, and new experiments, such as the multi-anvil press experiment, it is logical and more than plausible to believe that the Earth’s core is a liquid hot fluid made up of iron and nickel, surrounding a compressed solid metal center. Works Cited Dr. Rubin, Ken. How do scientists know what is in the core of the earth?. 24 October 2002. . Kloeppel, Jim. â€Å"Long-standing mystery of earth’s inner core may be solved.† news bureau 1 March 2002. The Source of the Earth’s Magnetic Field. 22 Oct. 2002. Earth Core Studies. 26 October 2002.