The Earth's core consists of two distinct layers: the outer core and the inner core. The differences in their states of matter (liquid in the outer core and solid in the inner core) are primarily due to variations in temperature and pressure as you move deeper into the Earth.
Outer Core (Molten): The outer core, which lies beneath the Earth's mantle ( Lower Mantle) and above the inner core, is molten. It is composed mainly of minerals that are less dense in comparison to that of the inner core so it is in a molten state .It is a result of extremely high temperature and pressure at this depth. The temperature in the outer core is estimated to range from about 4,000°C (7,200°F) to 6,000°C (10,800°F). These temperature is well above the melting point of iron and nickel, which is why the outer core remains in a liquid state.
Inner Core (Solid): The inner core, on the other hand, is semi molten, even though it is composed of iron and nickel . The inner core is solid because the pressure at this depth is incredibly high. The pressure at the center of the Earth is estimated to be around 3.5 million times atmospheric pressure, since Iron and Nickel are the densest minerals, the inner core is in a semi molten state. The temperature at the inner core is estimated to be higher than the outer core, at around 5,700°C (10,300°F).
The core of the Earth is semi-molten because it consists of both a liquid outer core and a solid inner core. The state of matter in each layer is determined by a combination of extremely high temperature and pressure, with the outer core being molten due to high temperatures but lower pressures, while the inner core remains solid due to the high pressures and dense minerals at its depths.
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