Inside Our Earth
Define the Terms:
1. Igneous – It is derived from a Latin word ‘Ignis’
meaning ‘fire’.
2. Sedimentary– It is derived from a Latin word
‘sedimentum’ meaning ‘settle down’.
3. Metamorphic– It is derived from a Greek word
‘metamorphose’ meaning ‘change of form’.
4. Fossils– The remains of the dead plants and animals
trapped in the layers of rocks are called fossils.
5. Mantle – the part of the earth that surrounds the
central core.
6. Core- The innermost layer of earth.
7. Rock- the dry solid part of the earth’s surface.
8. Mineral- A naturally occurring substances which
have certain physical properties and definite chemical
composition
9. Lave- Lava is fiery red molten magma coming out
from the interior of the earth on its surface. The Earth is
called a dynamic planet because it constantly changes
from within and on the surface. Its interior and exterior
are made up of various rocks and minerals.
Interior of the Earth
• The Earth has a radius of 6,371 km and is made up
of three main concentric layers:
1. Crust:
• The outermost and thinnest layer. • About 35 km
thick on continents and 5 km under oceans.
• Made of silica and alumina on continents (called sial)
and silica with magnesium in oceanic crust (called
sima). • Forms only 1% of Earth’s volume.
2. Mantle:
• Lies beneath the crust and extends up to 2,900 km
deep.
• Comprises 84% of Earth’s volume.
3. Core:
• The innermost layer with a radius of about 3,500
km.
• Made of nickel and iron (nife).
• Has extremely high temperature and pressure.
• Forms 15% of Earth’s volume.
Rocks and Minerals
The Earth’s crust is made up of different rocks and
minerals.
Rocks
• Rocks are natural masses of mineral matter.
• They vary in colour, size, and texture and are used
in construction.
Types of Rocks:
1. Igneous Rocks:
➢ Formed by the cooling of molten magma.
➢ Also called primary rocks.
➢ Extrusive: Formed on the surface; cool quickly
(e.g., basalt – found in the Deccan Plateau).
➢ Intrusive: Formed inside the crust; cool slowly
with large grains (e.g., granite – used in grinding
stones).
2. Sedimentary Rocks:
➢ Formed from compressed sediments carried by
wind, water, etc.
➢ Often contain fossils.
➢ Example: sandstone (used in the Red Fort).
. Metamorphic Rocks:
3
➢ Formed when igneous or sedimentary rocks change
under heat and pressure.
➢ Examples: clay → slate; limestone → marble
(Rajasthan is a major producer). Rock Cycle • Rocks
transform from one type to another:
➢ Magma cools → Igneous rock
➢ Igneous breaks into sediments → Sedimentary
rock
➢ Heat and pressure → Metamorphic rock
➢ Melts again → Magma → Igneous Minerals •
Naturally occurring substances with definite properties.
• Used as fuels (coal, petroleum), in industries (iron,
gold), medicine, and fertilizers.
Questions and Answers:
1. What are the three layers of the earth?
Q
Ans. The three layers of the earth are:
1. Crust
2. Mantle
3. Core
2. What is a rock?
Q
Ans. Any natural mass of mineral matter that makes up
the earth’s crust is called a rock. The different types of
rocks may vary in colour, size and texture.
3. Name three types of rocks.
Q
Ans. Three types of rocks are:
a) Igneous rocks
b) Sedimentary rocks
c) Metamorphic rocks
4. How are extrusive and intrusive rocks formed?
Q
Ans. Anextrusive igneous rockis formed when the
molten magma coming out from the interior of the earth
on its surface, rapidly cools down and becomes solid
whereas.
anintrusive igneous rockis formed when molten
magma cools down deep inside the earth’s crust.
5) What do you mean by a rock cycle?
Q
Ans: The process of transformation of rocks from one
type to another due to changes in certain conditions in
a cyclic manner is called a rock cycle.
6. What are the uses of rocks?
Q
Ans. Rocks are very useful to us. The hard rocks are
used for making roads, houses and buildings. They are
also used in industries.
Q7) What are metamorphic rocks?
ns: The type of rocks formed when igneous and
A
sedimentary rocks experience heat and pressure are
called metamorphic rocks
ive Reasons
G
(i) We cannot go to the center of the earth.
Ans. We cannot go to the center of the earth because it
has very high temperature and pressure. The radius of
the earth is more than 6000 km. to reach the center of
the earth, we have to dig a hole to this depth, which is
impossible.
ii) Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments.
Ans. Rocks breakdown into small fragments under
various conditions. These fragments, called sediments,
are transported by wind and water. Layers of sediments
are formed when loose sediments are compressed and
hardened. These layers of sediments thus form
sedimentary rocks.
iii) Limestone is changed into marbles.
Ans. limestone is a sedimentary rocks. It changes into
marble which is a metamorphic rock under great heat
and pressure.
