As the Earth cooled, denser materials sank towards the center while lighter materials floated to the surface, leading to the formation of distinct layers.
Here's a breakdown of how this process occurred:
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Early Earth: In its early stages, Earth was a molten ball of rock and metal.
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Differentiation by Density: Due to gravity, heavier elements and compounds began to sink towards the center, while lighter elements rose towards the surface. This process is known as planetary differentiation.
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Core Formation: The heaviest elements, primarily iron and nickel, sank to the very center, forming the Earth's core.
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Mantle Formation: Above the core, the mantle formed from silicate rocks that were less dense than iron and nickel but denser than the materials that would eventually form the crust.
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Crust Formation: The lightest materials, such as basalts and granites, floated to the surface, cooled, and solidified to form the Earth's crust.
In summary, the Earth's layers (core, mantle, and crust) formed due to the density differences of their constituent materials, with heavier elements sinking to the center and lighter elements rising to the surface during the planet's cooling process.
