The core of the earth is also called______?

Analyze the question: The question asks for another name for the core of the earth, which is the innermost layer.

Explain the concept: The earth has three main layers:

1. Crust (outermost), the upper part of which is the lithosphere
2. Mantle (middle), whose lower part is sometimes called the mesosphere
3. Core (innermost), made up of a liquid outer core and a solid inner core, mostly iron and nickel

The core is also called the barysphere. The word comes from the Greek barys, meaning "heavy", because the core is very dense and heavy. It is also sometimes called the centrosphere.

Go through the options:

• A. Mesosphere: This refers to the lower mantle (in earth structure), or a layer of the atmosphere. It is not the core.
• B. Lithosphere: This is the rigid outer shell made of the crust and upper mantle.
• C. Hydrosphere: This is all the water on the earth's surface (oceans, rivers, lakes). It has nothing to do with the interior.
• D. Barysphere: This is the core. ✔

Answer: D. Barysphere

Exam tip: Remember the "-sphere" names this way:

• Litho = rock → crust
• Hydro = water → water bodies
• Atmo = vapour/gas → air
• Bary = heavy → core

"Bary" sounds like "heavy" or "buried", so think of the heavy core buried deep inside the earth.