Earth's Structure
Name the four main layers of the Earth (in order from outside to inside).
crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
Name the three main types of heat transfer.
Conduction, convection, radiation.
Define magma and lava.
Magma is molten rock beneath Earth’s surface; lava is molten rock that has reached the surface.
Define epicentre and focus of an earthquake.
Focus is the point inside Earth where the earthquake starts; epicentre is the point on the surface directly above the focus
Define atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere.
Atmosphere: layer of gases around Earth; lithosphere: solid outer part of Earth (crust and upper mantle); biosphere: all living things; hydrosphere: all water on Earth.
Is the crust solid or liquid, and what is it mostly made of
Solid; mainly rocks like granite and basalt.
Which type of heat transfer is responsible for energy travelling from the Sun to the Earth through space?
Radiation.
Define vent, crater, and ash in a volcano.
Vent: opening where magma and gases escape.
Crater: bowl-shaped depression at the top.
Ash: fine particles of rock and glass blown out during eruptions.
What does the Richter scale measure?
The magnitude (size/energy released) of an earthquake.
Give one example of what is found in each sphere (atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere).
Atmosphere: air/oxygen; lithosphere: rocks/soil; biosphere: plants/animals; hydrosphere: oceans/rivers/ice.
Describe one physical property of the mantle (state and temperature) and one of the core.
Mantle is mostly solid but flows slowly and is very hot; the outer core is liquid and extremely hot, the inner core is solid.
Describe the role of the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
It absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting living things.
Describe the relationship between tectonic plate movement and volcanic activity.
Most volcanoes form at plate boundaries where plates collide, move apart, or at hotspots; moving plates allow magma to rise to the surface and erupt.
Name two effects of earthquakes on people and the environment.
Building collapse, injuries and deaths, landslides, fires, damage to roads and bridges.
Describe one example of interaction between two spheres (e.g. respiration, photosynthesis, weathering).
In photosynthesis, plants (biosphere) take in carbon dioxide from the air (atmosphere) and water from the hydrosphere to make glucose and oxygen.
Explain why the mantle is important for plate tectonics.
Convection currents in the mantle move the tectonic plates on top.
Define the greenhouse effect in your own words.
It is the process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the Sun, keeping Earth warmer than it would be without them.
Explain how volcanic eruptions can both harm and benefit the surrounding environment and human activities. Give one example for each.
Harm: eruptions can destroy homes, kill plants and animals, and disrupt air travel.
Benefit: volcanic ash adds nutrients to soil and new land can form, which can be good for farming and tourism.
Describe two earthquake hazards and briefly explain how each can cause damage.
Ground shaking can collapse buildings; liquefaction can make the ground behave like a liquid, causing buildings to sink or tilt; tsunamis can flood coastal areas.
Define the carbon cycle and name two processes that move carbon between spheres
The carbon cycle is the movement of carbon between atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere; examples: photosynthesis, respiration, combustion of fossil fuels, decomposition
Describe the modern model of Earth’s internal structure (crust, mantle, outer core, inner core) and link one layer to a key role it plays for the planet.
Earth has a thin rocky crust, a thick solid but flowing mantle, a liquid outer core, and a solid inner core; the outer core’s moving liquid metal creates Earth’s magnetic field, protecting us from solar radiation.
Explain how human activities can enhance the greenhouse effect and lead to increased heating of the Earth. Give at least two examples.
Burning fossil fuels and deforestation add extra greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane to the atmosphere, trapping more heat and causing global warming.
Identify two different types of volcanoes (e.g. shield, composite) and describe how their shape relates to the type of lava.
Shield volcano: Broad, gently sloping “shield” shape, formed by very runny, low‑viscosity basaltic lava that can flow long distances before cooling, so it spreads out in wide, thin layers.
composite volcano: Tall, steep, cone‑shaped volcano, formed by thicker, high‑viscosity, silica‑rich lava that does not flow far and by layers of ash and rock fragments, so material piles up close to the vent, building steep sides
Describe one way an earthquake-prone country (such as Japan or New Zealand) prepares for earthquakes to reduce damage and loss of life.
They use strict building codes, earthquake drills, early warning systems, and tsunami evacuation routes to protect people.
Explain the difference between climate change and global warming, and describe one piece of evidence that Earth’s climate is changing.
Global warming is the increase in Earth’s average surface temperature, mainly due to enhanced greenhouse effect; climate change includes global warming plus other changes like altered rainfall and more extreme weather. Evidence includes rising global temperatures, melting ice, and sea-level rise.