Final answer:
The Earth's interior is divided into compositional and mechanical layers. The compositional layers are defined by chemical composition and include the core, mantle, and crust. The mechanical layers are defined by physical properties and consist of the lithosphere and asthenosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Earth's interior is divided into two main layers: the compositional layers and the mechanical layers.
The compositional layers are defined by their chemical composition and include the core, mantle, and crust. The core is the innermost layer, consisting of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. The mantle surrounds the core and is made up of semi-solid rock. The crust is the outermost layer and can be further divided into continental crust and oceanic crust based on their composition.
The mechanical layers, on the other hand, are defined by their physical properties. The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and a portion of the upper mantle. It is broken into tectonic plates that float on the underlying semi-fluid asthenosphere, which is capable of slow flow and convection.