EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Before the elements within the Earth began to cool and form layers, their densities determined where they would go. Denser materials, like iron and nickel, sank to the core. Lighter materials, like aluminum and silicon, stayed closer to the Earth’s surface.

Detailed explanation-2: -The process of planetary differentiation is mediated by partial melting with heat from radioactive isotope decay and planetary accretion. Planetary differentiation has occurred on planets, dwarf planets, the asteroid 4 Vesta, and natural satellites (such as the Moon).

Detailed explanation-3: -As we have already mentioned, the Earth must have been largely molten at some early stage in order to have been differentiated into several zones or layers. Differentiation is perhaps the most significant event in the history of the Earth. It led to the formation of the core and the mantle and a crust with continents.

Detailed explanation-4: -Each layer has a unique density (density = mass/volume). Scientists believe that all planets formed on the basis of gravity. Therefore, the layering of Earth is a result of gravitational pull. The densest layer (inner core) is at the center and the least dense layer (crust) is the outermost layer.