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Questions and Answers
What is the source of heat generated from the descent of dense iron-rich material to the center of the Earth?
What is the source of heat generated from the descent of dense iron-rich material to the center of the Earth?
Radiogenic heat is produced by the decay of radioactive elements in the Earth's interior.
Radiogenic heat is produced by the decay of radioactive elements in the Earth's interior.
True
Name one of the radioactive isotopes that contribute to radiogenic heat in the Earth's interior.
Name one of the radioactive isotopes that contribute to radiogenic heat in the Earth's interior.
Uranium-238
The formula for calculating gravitational energy is E = ___.
The formula for calculating gravitational energy is E = ___.
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Match the following sources of planetary heat with their descriptions:
Match the following sources of planetary heat with their descriptions:
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What is the temperature of the Earth's inner core?
What is the temperature of the Earth's inner core?
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The outer core is composed of solid materials.
The outer core is composed of solid materials.
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What material primarily makes up the Earth's crust?
What material primarily makes up the Earth's crust?
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The process that explains the heat redistribution in the Earth's interior is called ______.
The process that explains the heat redistribution in the Earth's interior is called ______.
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Match the layers of the Earth with their density (g/cm³):
Match the layers of the Earth with their density (g/cm³):
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What is the main component of the Earth's mantle?
What is the main component of the Earth's mantle?
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Primordial heat is generated solely from radioactive decay.
Primordial heat is generated solely from radioactive decay.
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What are the two main components of the outer core?
What are the two main components of the outer core?
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Study Notes
Earth's Interior
- Earth's layers include the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust
- Inner core: 1255 km thick, density 12.6-13 g/cm³, temperature 4760 °C, solid iron and nickel
- Outer core: 2220 km thick, density 10-12 g/cm³, temperature 3871 °C, liquid iron and nickel
- Mantle: 2900 km thick, density 3.3-5.7 g/cm³, temperature 1260-3000 °C, composed of iron, magnesium, and silicon
- Crust: 38.5 km thick (average), density 2.7 g/cm³ (continental), 3.1 g/cm³ (oceanic), composed of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium
Sources of Internal Heat
- Convection: Movement of less dense hot material rising and more dense cooler material sinking. It redistributes heat within the earth. Occurs in the upper mantle.
- Primordial heat: Heat from Earth's formation and differentiation. Has three components:
- Accretional heat: Heat from impact bodies converted to thermal energy
- Gravitational release: Dense material sinking, releasing heat as friction
- Frictional heating: Denser material sinking causes heat
- Radiogenic heat: Heat from radioactive decay of elements like uranium, potassium, and thorium
- Tidal friction: Heat from tidal forces causing friction when bulges are raised in solid material
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Description
Explore the fascinating layers of Earth including the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. Learn about the sources of internal heat such as convection and primordial heat. This quiz will test your understanding of Earth's composition and thermal processes.
