Final answer:
The layers of Earth include the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core, with the lithosphere and asthenosphere being mechanical divisions. Scientists use seismic data to study these layers. The crust is thin and divided into continental and oceanic types, whereas the lithosphere includes the crust and upper mantle and can break and cause earthquakes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student compared the layers of a broken jawbreaker with the internal layers of Earth which include the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. The Earth's structure can also be studied in terms of mechanical properties, such as the lithosphere and the asthenosphere. Scientists study these layers through seismic waves produced by earthquakes and through computer modeling which helps understand Earth's composition and the behavior of its layers.
The crust is Earth's outer surface, which is divided into continental and oceanic types, each with distinct characteristics. The mantle makes up a significant portion of the Earth's volume and is less dense than the core, behaving plastically under high pressure. The outer core is a liquid layer responsible for Earth's magnetic field, while the inner core is solid, comprised mainly of iron and nickel.
Earth's lithosphere includes both the crust and the uppermost mantle. It behaves as a brittle, rigid solid layer about 100 kilometers thick. When stress is applied to the lithosphere, it may break, causing earthquakes. The asthenosphere lies beneath the lithosphere and is capable of plastic deformation.