Sample Essay Questions
The following essay questions support viewing of The
Core movie.
A document exploring the factual and fictitious Geology, Biology and Physics
in the movie can be found at:
The
Core - Good Science and Bad Science in the Movie.
Teachers who show The Core in their classroom may wish to use
one or more of these essays.
Students may want to watch the movie at home then consider answering
one or more for science extra credit. Check with your teacher.
1. State one geological concept that is true but which was distorted in the
film for entertainment purposes. Be sure to explain in what ways the truth was
changed into fiction.
2. Explain why it would be highly unlikely that the terranauts could travel
through a void (empty space) in the Earth's mantle.
3. In the movie magnificent, huge Quartz crystals inside a large "mantle
geode" were a dangerous encounter for the terranauts. Explain first why
this geode would not have existed in Earth's mantle and second, why quartz crystals
would also not have been present in the mantle.
4. Why would temperatures and pressures inside the Earth's mantle and cores
prohibit subterranean travel to the Mantle-Core Interface. Refer to specific
data on the following reference chart to support your answer: Inferred
Properties of Earth's Interior.
5. What is the Earth's Magnetic Field? How is it generated? In what ways does
it protect Earth? Is it alone responsible for shielding earth's inhabitants
from harmful solar radiation? If not, what other factor assists in protecting
living organisms from sun energy?
6. State a line from the movie that is an outright scientific error. There are
at least 2. Who said it and why is the quote scientifically incorrect?
7. Provide details concerning the physical characteristics of Earth's Outer
Core. What is it like? What does it do? What is its composition? Exactly where
is its location inside Earth? Consult the following reference chart for useful
details: Inferred
Properties of Earth's Interior.
8. What is High Altitude Static Discharge and what is one gorgeous celestial
phenomenon resulting from this effect?
9. Virgil entered the Earth at the Mariana Trench and exited via a "space between
2 tectonic plates somewhere near Hawaii".
If you were the film's producer, why you would have chosen these 2 locations
as the entry and exit points for Virgil?
If you were a scientist critiquing the movie, comment on the choice of these
2 locations, supporting your response with scientific facts.
10. Write about how changes in the Earth's Magnetic Field affected people and
animals on Earth, as depicted in the movie. Give at least 2 examples. Be specific
then add your own scientific commentary as to which of these details was distorted
and how?