Two-density model of the Earth
Ralph Snyder · American Journal of Physics · 1986
A model of the Earth is discussed in which a spherical and homogeneous core is surrounded by the mantle, taken to be a spherical shell of constant density. Four pedagogical exercises are worked out using this model: the variation of gravitational acceleration with radius, the moment of inertia of the Earth, the pressure at the center of the Earth, and the tunneling time through the Earth. The results are compared to actual geophysical values and also to the predictions of the single-density model.