The outer core of the earth is located 2,890 kilometers (1,400 miles) beneath the surface of the Earth. The main difference between the inner core and outer core of the earth is that inner core of the earth is the innermost layer of our planet, whereas outer core is the layer that surrounds the inner core. Recently, researchers have discovered that the inner core also contains an inner inner core. Both parts of the core are much hotter than the boiling point of iron, its the very high pressure down there that stops them becoming gaseous iron and nickel. Our planet is made up of four layers: the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core. The inner core is the innermost geologic layer of the Earth. What materials can P-waves travel through? What do P-waves tell about the inner core? A well-conditioned inner unit depends on strong outer unit systems to protect the inner unit muscles, the spinal ligaments and joints. This article seeks to highlight the difference between the two innermost layers of the Earth. This continuous process is called the geodynamo, and it is responsible for the magnetic field surrounding our planet. The inner core is about 6,371 kilometers (3,958 miles) deep beneath the surface. It is believed to be between 250 to 400 kilometers in diameter. Calculations indicate that the core is about 85% iron metal with nickel metal making up much of the remaining 15%. There are no samples for the direct measurement of Earth’s core so, the information about it mostly comes from analysis of and the magnetic field and seismic waves. The temperature of the outer core is 4,000 to 8,000 K (6,740-13,940 degrees F or 3,730 – 7,730 degrees C). S-waves do not go through the outer core. We do not implement these annoying types of ads! Figure 1. We need money to operate the site, and almost all of it comes from our online advertising. The outer core is believed to be about 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) thick, and is located 2,890 kilometers (1,400 miles) beneath the surface of the Earth. As hot as a journey to Verne’s center of the earth might have been, a visit to the real location would be worse. Inner Core vs. The core will not provide a firm base of contraction for the phasic muscles, which results in lost limb power, low economy of movement and susceptibility to injury. It is a liquid layer made up of iron and nickel. The outer core of the Earth is a liquid layer of iron and nickel 2,890 kilometers (1,400 miles) beneath the surface of the Earth. The hottest region of the outer core is about 3,730-7,730 degrees C or 6,740-13,940 degrees F. In terms of size, the inner core’s radius is about 1,220 kilometers (768 miles). In addition, scientists also believe this phenomenon indicates a homogeneous characteristic of the inner core; that is, it remains solid if it is growing into the liquid outer core. It has an estimated radius of 1220 km (768 mi). The magnetic field is 50 times stronger in the outer core than on the surface of the Earth. If the surface layers are less dense than average, then the interior must be denser than average. We don't have any banner, Flash, animation, obnoxious sound, or popup ad. The innermost part or layer of the earth is called as the inner core of the earth, whereas the layer that surrounds the inner core is known as the outer core of the earth. The layer that surrounds the inner core is known as the outer core of the earth. It stretches to about 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles). Internal Customers vs. The temperature of the inner core is 5,400 degrees Celsius, on the other side, the temperature of the outer core is about 4,000 to 8,000 K (6,740 – 13,940 degrees F or 3,730-7,730 degrees C). Our earth is composed of four layers, i.e., the crust, mantle, outer core, and the inner core. The innermost part or layer of the earth is known as the inner core of the earth. The layer of earth that surrounds the inner core of the earth is known as the outer core. OThey are both a mixture of iron and nickel, but the inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid. What materials can S-waves travel through? His research suggests the inner core is like a long crystal running north to south. The inner core is located 6,371 kilometers (3,958 miles) deep beneath the surface. Our earth is composed of four layers, i.e., the crust, mantle, outer core, and the inner core. The constant churning of liquid iron of the outer core creates magnetic fields and electricity. Aimie Carlson is an English language enthusiast who loves writing and has a master degree in English literature. An iron meteorite is the closest thing to the Earth’s core that we can hold in our hands. The strong magnetic field is caused by convection in the liquid outer core. We've detected that you are using AdBlock Plus or some other adblocking software which is preventing the page from fully loading. Scientists know that the outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid because: S-waves do not go through the outer core. The innermost layer is known as core and is further divided into two layers, i.e., the inner core and the outer core. Follow her on Twitter at @AimieCarlson. The inner core has a radius of 1,220 kilometers or 768 miles, whereas the radius of the outer core is almost 2,300 kilometers or 1,400 miles. Convection currents in the outer core are due to heat from the even hotter inner core. This process is called the geodynamo, and it is responsible for the magnetic field that surrounds our planet. Its outer boundary lies 2,890 km (1,800 mi) beneath Earth's surface. The earth’s inner core has a solid nature due to high pressure on it while the outer core of the earth is liquid in nature. The nature of the inner core of the earth is solid due to high pressure on it. INGE LEHMANN : How Inge Lehmann used Earthquakes to discover the Earthu2019s inner core. The radius of the inner core is about 1,220 kilometers or 768 miles conversely the radius of the outer core of the earth is approximately 2,300 kilometers or 1,400 miles thick. The constant churning of liquid iron present in the outer core creates a magnetic and electric field. Seismologist Inge Lehmann was the first one who discovered the solid inner core surrounded by a liquid outer core. The outer core of the earth has a liquid nature. It was suggested in 1940 that this inner core is solid iron. Did you have an idea for improving this content? Outer Core. Metals such as iron are magnetic, but rock, which makes up the mantle and crust, is not. It is estimated that the temperature of the outer core is from 4,000-8,000 K (6,740-13,940 degrees F or 3,730-7,730 degrees C) as it gets near the inner core, and 3,400-4,500 K (4,940-7,640 degrees F or 2,730-4,230 degrees C) in its outer regions. The inner core of the earth is a solid mass of iron and nickel and some light elements, e.g., oxygen, sulfur, and silicon, etc. Convection currents in the outer core are due to heat from the even hotter inner core. The … At the planet’s center lies a dense metallic core. The temperature of the inner core of is estimated to be about 5,400 degrees Celsius or 9,800 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a radius of about 2,300 kilometers or 1,400 miles thick. The earth’s inner core is a solid ball of iron, nickel and other metals, while the outer core is liquid metal composed of iron and nickel as well. But this is not the case. Difference between Inner and Outer Planets, Difference between Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics, Difference between Terrestrial and Jovian Planets, Difference between Seltzer, Club Soda, and Tonic Water, Difference between a Broiler, Fryer and Roaster Chicken, Has a radius of 1,220 kilometers or 768 miles, Approximately 2,300 kilometers or 1,400 miles thick, Temperature estimated to be about 5,400 degrees Celsius or 9,800 degrees Fahrenheit, Hottest region is about 3,730-7,730 degrees Celsius or 6,740-13,940 degrees Fahrenheit, Difference between Inner Core and Outer Core of the Earth. External Customers, Cytokinesis in Plant Cell vs. Cytokinesis in Animal Cell. Unlike the inner (or solid ) core, the outer core is liquid. The temperature of the inner core is 5,400 degrees Celsius or 9,800 degrees Fahrenheit, on the other side, the temperature of the outer core is from 4,000 to 8,000 K (6,740 – 13,940 degrees F or 3,730-7,730 degrees C). It is a widely-accepted that the inner core is gradually expanding because the liquid outer core cools down and solidifies at the place where the two layers meet. Lehmann was able to arrive at this conclusion by studying seismic waves caused by earthquakes bouncing off the inner core’s boundary. http://www.ck12.org/earth-science/Earths-Core/lesson/Earths-Core-HS-ES/. Above discussion clarifies that the inner core is the innermost layer of earth that is solid in nature, whereas outer core surrounds the inner core and it is a liquid layer. The 85% iron/15% nickel calculation above is also seen in metallic meteorites (Figure 1). Now that we have the facts, what’s the difference between the inner core and outer core of the Earth? Scientists know that the outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid because: The heat that keeps the outer core from solidifying is produced by the breakdown of radioactive elements in the inner core. Now that we have the facts, what’s the difference between the inner core and outer core of the Earth? This core of the earth is made up of a solid ball of iron and nickel and some light elements, e.g., oxygen, sulfur, and silicon, etc. The inner core is the innermost layer of the Earth, and is believed to be a solid ball composed of iron and nickel along with some light elements (e.g., oxygen, sulfur, silicon). But we know that the outer core is molten metal, as seen above. The main difference between the inner core and outer core of the earth is that inner core of the earth is the innermost layer of our planet, whereas outer core is the layer that surrounds the inner core.