Structure of the Earth: Plasticity Lab

Response Blog

In class we did a lab.  The materials we needed in this lab were cornstarch, water, 2 small beakers, stirring rod or spoon, eyedropper, food coloring, and newspaper.  The procedure was to add about 5 teaspoons of cornstarch to one beaker and put 20 milliliters of water in another beaker.  Then stir the two together and add food coloring.  After playing with the outcome for a little while, we were given questions to answer.  The mixture was really watery but when pressure was applied on both sides, it turned to a solid.  When handled, the mixture would slide around and at the occurrence of force being applied to it, it turned to a solid.  This is similar to mantle because when pressure from two sides, in this case hands, it would stay in place.  But, when that pressure ceased, the mixture began to liquidate and move around.  This is just like what happens with the mantle.  Pressure from the crust and the core force the mantle to stay in place but when one of the forces move, so does the mantle.