KS3 Physics

Earth’s Structure

1 of 32
20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Structure of the Earth
crust: contains all the
mountains, rocks, water,
soil and land features.
outer core: made
up of liquid iron
and nickel
1 of 32
2 20
mantle: it makes up
the largest portion
of the Earth’s mass.
Contains molten
rocks. It creates the
earth’s magnetic
field.
inner core: hottest
part of the earth. It
stays solid due to
intense pressure.
It contains iron
and nickel.
© Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 What is continental drift theory?
It is thought that all the Earth were once joined together in a
huge supercontinent called Pangaea.

Over millions of years the land broke up and drifted

apart. This idea is known as continental drift.
because the tectonic plates they were on moved apart
due to convection currents in the Earth’s mantle.


1 of 32
3 20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Continental drift theory animation

1 of 32
4 20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Evidence for continental drift theory
There are a number of pieces of evidence to support the
theory of continental drift:
1. The shapes of the continents fit like a jigsaw.

2. The rock strata on separated continents are identical.

continent A continent B
3. The fossil records on separated continents are identical.

1 of 32
5 20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Tectonic plates


Pieces of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle that move
slowly over the surface of the Earth called tectonic plates.
Where two plates meet is called a plate boundary.
Convection currents in the mantle plates move these tectonic
plates, which can move towards each other, move away from
each other and or move past each other.
1 of 32
6 20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Plate boundaries 1 – sliding plates
Two plates can slide past each other, but this doesn’t always
happen smoothly. The large friction forces involved mean
that pressure builds up and the plates move suddenly when
the strain gets too much.

plate A

plate B

This sudden movement of plates is called an earthquake

and it can be very destructive.
1 of 32
7 20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Features of an earthquake

1 of 32
8 20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Primary and secondary waves
During an earthquake there are two types of seismic waves
that are released from the epicentre. These are called
primary waves (P waves) and secondary waves (S waves).

Primary or P waves are the faster type of seismic waves.

They are longitudinal waves and when they hit the Earth’s
surface they make objects and buildings vibrate vertically.
P waves can travel through solids and liquids.

Secondary or s-waves are the slower type of seismic waves.

They are transverse waves and when they hit the Earth’s
surface they make objects and buildings vibrate horizontally.
S waves can only travel through solids.

1 of 32
9 20 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Effects of different seismic waves
P-waves arrive S-waves arrive
first and shake next and shake
buildings buildings
vertically. horizontally.
This causes This can cause
little damage. a lot of damage.

1 ofof20
10 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Why do earthquakes happen?

1 ofof20
11 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Plate boundaries 2 – colliding plates
What happens at a plate boundary where an oceanic plate
and a continental plate collide?
The thinner, more dense oceanic plate is driven down into
the mantle. This is known as subduction.

thicker, less dense

continental plate thinner, more dense
oceanic plate

convection current convection current

melted oceanic plate

1 ofof20
12 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Plate boundaries 3 – colliding plates

1 ofof20
13 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Plate boundaries 4 – plates moving apart
What happens at a plate boundary when oceanic plates
move apart due to convection currents in the Earth’s mantle?

 oceanic plate oceanic plate 

Magma moves
up to the convection convection This is known
surface, cools current current as sea-floor
and forms new spreading.
oceanic plate.

1 ofof20
14 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Plate boundaries 4 – plates moving apart
When plates move apart, magma from the mantle rises up
through cracks in the Earth’s crust. This results in a Volcano
Volcanoes can be classified in 3 groups
• Active: can erupt any time
• Inactive/dormant: they have erupted in a long time
• Extinct: they will not erupt again

1 ofof20
15 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
Solar and Lunar Eclipses

1 ofof20
16 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 What is an eclipse?

• An astronomical event that occurs when

one celestial object (Earth or moon)
moves into the shadow of another or a
celestial object passes in front of the
sun, blocking its light.

1 ofof20
17 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Parts of an eclipses

• Umbra – The dark inner portion of the

shadow cone.
• Penumbra – the lighter outer portion of the
shadow.

1 ofof20
18 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Solar eclipse
• Occurs when the Sun’s light is blocked by the Moon
• The moon comes between the Sun and Earth and
casts a shadow on the Earth
• Occurs during the day
• Solar eclipses happen during the New Moon

• Usually 2

1 ofof20
19 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Types of solar system

• 1) Total Solar Eclipse

• 2) Partial Solar Eclipse

• 3) Annular Eclipse

1 ofof20
20 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Total solar eclipse

• Can only occur if you are at the exact spot within

the moon’s umbra (which isn’t very big).

1 ofof20
21 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Partial solar eclipse

Partial Lunar Eclipse – visible if you are in the penumbra of

the shadow. Only some of the moon will be shadowed.

1 ofof20
22 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Picture of a Partial Solar Eclipse

1 ofof20
23 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Diagram of total and partial solar eclipse

1 ofof20
24 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Annular eclipse
Annular Eclipse – occurs when the moon is
farthest from the Earth in its orbit. This makes the
moon look smaller, so during the eclipse you see
an outer ring of light from the Sun.

1 ofof20
25 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Lunar eclipse

• Occurs when the Sun’s light is blocked by the Earth

• Earth comes between the Sun and moon and casts
a shadow on the Moon
• It happens when there is full moon
• Occurs during the night

1 ofof20
26 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Moon’s orbit

• Lunar eclipses don’t happen every month

because the Moon’s orbit is tilted. Moon’s orbit
around Earth is inclined about 5 degrees.
• So, during most months, the Moon is above or
below the Earth.

1 ofof20
27 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 How often do eclipses occur?

• Lunar Eclipses happen more often than Solar

Eclipses.
• Why? Well everyone who is experiencing night
time during a lunar eclipse can see it.
• But you have to be at the exact spot on Earth to
see a Solar Eclipse.
• The spot on Earth is so small, that the same
place only sees a Solar Eclipse every 350
years!!

1 ofof20
28 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Glossary (1)
 continental drift – The theory that millions of years ago
all the continents formed a huge supercontinent and have
been slowly drifting apart ever since.
 core – The central region of the Earth below the mantle.
The outer part is liquid and the inner part is solid.
 crust – The thin, rocky, outer layer of the Earth.
 earthquake – A sudden movement of the Earth’s crust,
which causes vibrations that travel through the Earth.
 mantle – The layer of the Earth, between the crust and the
core, which is mostly solid rock that can flow very slowly.
 P waves – These are the fastest type of seismic waves.
They are longitudinal waves and can travel through solids
and liquids.

1 ofof20
29 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004
 Glossary (2)
 plate boundary – An area where two tectonic plates meet.
 S waves – These are the slowest type of seismic waves.
They are transverse waves and can only travel through solids.
 sea-floor spreading – This occurs under oceans where
plates move apart and magma rises to the surface and cools
to form new crust.
 seismic waves – Vibrations that travel through the Earth
as a result of an earthquake.
 subduction – This occurs where plates move together and
one of the plates is driven down into the mantle.
 tectonic plates – Large sections of the Earth’s crust and
upper mantle that move slowly over the surface of the Earth.

1 ofof20
30 32 © Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004