What is the Core?

• A. The outermost shell of the Earth
• B. The hot gooey layer between crust and core
• C. The very center of the Earth made up of hot metals
• D. The solid layer surrounding the outer core

Answer: (C)

The core is the Earth's center, a region of extreme heat made mostly of iron and nickel. It has two parts: a solid inner core at the very center and a surrounding liquid outer core. The inner core stays solid because of immense pressures, while the outer core is molten. This central, metal-rich region is distinct from the crust (the outermost shell) and from the mantle (the layer between crust and core). The description of the core as the very center made of hot metals best captures its location and composition, which is why it’s the best choice. The other options describe the crust, mantle, or layers around the core, not the core itself.