Q:
What is the temperature of the outer core?
A:
Quick Answer
National Geographic reports that the temperature of the Earth’s outer core is estimated to be between 7,200 and 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to this high temperature, the outer core is liquid despite being made up of iron and nickel.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
The high temperature of the outer core is the result of decaying radioactive elements and frictional heating from denser materials sinking to the center of the earth. Moreover, the Earth still retains some of the heat from when it was formed. To determine the temperature of the outer core, scientists first estimate the density and thickness of the Earth’s layers by capturing and analyzing seismic waves from earthquakes. They then use computer models and laboratory experiments to infer the temperature.
Learn more about Layers of the EarthRelated Questions
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Q:
What is the temperature of the continental crust?
A: The temperature of the continental crust varies depending on location and depth; at the surface, the continental crust exists at the same temperature as th... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are some interesting facts about the outer core?
A: The outer core, one of the three layers of the Earth, is approximately 1,430 miles (2,300 kilometers) thick and between 7,200 and 9,000 F. According to Nat... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is mantle convection?
A: Mantle conviction is the process in which heat is transferred from the Earth's core to its surface; heat is released from the core and rises, causing tempe... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How hot is the inner core of the Earth?
A: According to National Geographic, the inner core of the Earth ranges between 9,000 and 13,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is approximately as high as the temp... Full Answer >Filed Under:
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