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Thermal convection in the Earth's mantle is caused by the fact that the deeper parts are hotter and therefore less dense than the surface parts. This in turn is caused because the surface of the Earth loses heat to space by radiation, and is therefore cooled, while the central parts (a) retain some heat from the gravitational and kinetic energy released by the accretion of the Earth from planetismals and (more significantly), (b) are continually heated by
- latent heat of fusion released when molten iron from the outer core solidifies onto the surface of the inner core,
- gravitational potential converted to kinetic energy (and then to heat through friction) as the Earth continues to differentiate (dense minerals tending to sink), and
- radioactive decay of radioactive isotopes in the material of the Earth, notably thorium-232 and potassium-40.
This thermal convection also drives hot-spot vulcanism.
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What is the thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
an unequal distribution of heat
What are thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
an unequal distribution of heat By: (FINALLY NOT A TROLL ANWSER)
What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?
convection cells in the mantle
What force causes the seafloor to spread and continents to drift?
Originally conceived as "continental drift," the theory of plate tectonics explains the motion of Earth's landmasses. However, there is still much debate as to what drives this motion. Explanations include upper mantle convection currents, forces due to gravity, and the effect of the Earth's rotation.
What causes mantle convection?
Heating from the Earth's core drives convection in the upper mantle. This convection is extremely slow; the speed with which material in the Earth's crust spreads from the mid-ocean ridges is of the order of several cm per year. Nevertheless, it is evident that the same forces which drive convection in the atmosphere and in the ocean are present in the "solid" earth as well. Mantle convection is the slow creeping motion of Earth's solid silicate mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior of the Earth to the surface. Mantle convection is the slow creeping motion of Earth's solid silicate mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior of the Earth to the surface.
What is the thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
an unequal distribution of heat
What are thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
an unequal distribution of heat By: (FINALLY NOT A TROLL ANWSER)
What drives plate motion inside earth?
convection currents
Another major factor that drives plate motion is?
mantle convection
What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?
convection cells in the mantle
What drives the slow movement of the plates and the convection?
Mantle convection is the slow creeping motion of Earth's rocky mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior of the earth to the surface. It is the driving force that causes tectonic plates to move around the Earth's surface.
What is Thermal convection?
The transfer of heat (therms) through fluid (including air) motion.
What is the thermal energy transfer that occurs by the motion of fluid in liquid or gas?
you guys dont know this omg bye
In fluids at rest do molecules of the fluid move about?
Yes both on the macroscopic scale (convection) and the microscopic scale (thermal motion). Everthing above zero Kelvin (absolute zero) has thermal motion.
Which method does most thermal energy in the atmosphere circulate?
Convection, where the transfer of thermal energy it occurs by the actual movement of the heated air in a circular motion.
By which method does most thermal energy in the atmosphere circulated?
Convection, where the transfer of thermal energy it occurs by the actual movement of the heated air in a circular motion.
What force causes the seafloor to spread and continents to drift?
Originally conceived as "continental drift," the theory of plate tectonics explains the motion of Earth's landmasses. However, there is still much debate as to what drives this motion. Explanations include upper mantle convection currents, forces due to gravity, and the effect of the Earth's rotation.
