Which layer surrounds the inner core and is molten iron and nickel?

Which layer surrounds the inner core and is molten iron and nickel?

• A. Crust
• B. Mantle
• C. Outer Core
• D. Inner Core

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is that Earth has distinct internal layers with different states of matter. The inner core is a solid sphere of iron-nickel under immense pressure. Surrounding it is a shell where iron and nickel are molten, so the material is liquid. This outer core remains in a liquid state because, despite the extreme heat, the pressure doesn’t keep it solid. The movement of this liquid iron-nickel generates Earth's magnetic field through convection. Outside of this molten layer lie the mantle and crust, which are solid rocks. So, the layer around the inner core that is molten iron and nickel is the outer core.

The essential idea is that Earth has distinct internal layers with different states of matter. The inner core is a solid sphere of iron-nickel under immense pressure. Surrounding it is a shell where iron and nickel are molten, so the material is liquid. This outer core remains in a liquid state because, despite the extreme heat, the pressure doesn’t keep it solid. The movement of this liquid iron-nickel generates Earth's magnetic field through convection. Outside of this molten layer lie the mantle and crust, which are solid rocks. So, the layer around the inner core that is molten iron and nickel is the outer core.