Which region sits directly beneath the Earth's mantle in the planet's center and contains a solid inner part and a surrounding molten layer?

Which region sits directly beneath the Earth's mantle in the planet's center and contains a solid inner part and a surrounding molten layer?

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

Answer: (A)

Think of Earth's interior as layers beneath the surface: crust, mantle, and core. The core has two parts: a solid inner core at the very center and a surrounding liquid outer core. The region directly beneath the mantle is the outer core, which is molten and envelops the solid inner core. This arrangement—a central solid sphere with a surrounding molten layer—fits perfectly. The inner core alone is just the solid center, not the surrounding molten part, and the mantle or crust lie above, not at the center.

Think of Earth's interior as layers beneath the surface: crust, mantle, and core. The core has two parts: a solid inner core at the very center and a surrounding liquid outer core. The region directly beneath the mantle is the outer core, which is molten and envelops the solid inner core. This arrangement—a central solid sphere with a surrounding molten layer—fits perfectly. The inner core alone is just the solid center, not the surrounding molten part, and the mantle or crust lie above, not at the center.