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What is the driving force for the moment of the lithospheric plates?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Heat escaping from Earth's core drives the mantle convection currents which move the Earth's lithospheric, tectonic plates.
The heat in the Earth's core was originally a result of the gravimetric potential energy released as the Earth's materials collapsed out of the solar nebular. This heat melted the whole Earth and the various components separated into layers related to their density. All the heavy stuff - Iron, Nickel, gold and the radioactive elements went to Earth's centre. Over geologic time all this heat would have dissipated and the Earth should have cooled and completely solidified by now (there would be no plate movement as has happened on Mars).
However, the quantity of radioactive elements packed into the core means that the energy from these as they decay (by fission) has kept Earth's core molten and hot (as hot as the surface of the Sun). So the forces moving the lithospheric plates are "nuclear powered".
If one goes back further, the radioactive elements (all elements heavier than Iron) are made in the explosion of large stars called supernovas. So ultimately the force powering the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates is the explosion of a star. Isn't that amazing!
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
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What is the driving force of plate tectonics'?
That force is caused by the convection currents in the magma below the plates.
How is competition a driving force in society?
Competition would be the driving force of exclusion
What type of force pull two plates together?
tension acting on the plates
When two plates collide with enough force what occurs to break crust?
When two plates collide with enough force, faulting occurs, breaking the crust. Faulting (Apex)
The force that occurs when plates are pushed together?
Plate tectonics
What is the Driving Force For Movement Of The Lithospheric Plates?
unequal distribution of heat within Earth.
What is a basal drag?
It is a force that could be contributing or complementing mantle convectional currents in the movements of lithospheric or tectonic plates. This force is generated when there is friction between convectional currents and the lithospheric or tectonic plate that lies above.
How does plate movement affect the formation of folded mountains?
geologists believe the force may be caused by the collision of lithospheric plates.......
What theory describes the motion of the force driving the Earth's plates?
plate tectonics
What is the driving force of the movement lithosphere plates?
unequal distribution of heat within Earth.
What is the driving force for the movement of the lithosphere plates?
unequal distribution of heat within Earth.
Could it be the marine currents a driving force behind plates tectonics?
No. For one thing, the ocean currents do not match up with the movements of plates. Second, the force behind those currents is not enough to drive plate movements.
What do scientists call the theory that describe the motion of the plates?
The theory of plate tectonics describes how plates move. The main driving force is convection currents in the mantle.
How do you work out the moment?
To work out the moment of a force you times the force by the distance the force is from the pivot. So, basically: Moment = force x distance.
What does the moment of a force messure?
A moment of a force is a measurement of the turning effect of that force. For example, the force of a hand pushing down on a door handle creates a turning effect, and is therefore described as a moment.
What can change when moment changes?
moment depends upon the force and the perpendicular distance between the force and the point where we are finding the moment. so when moment changes either the force will change or the perpendicular distance will change.
What is the formula for moment arm?
we can show moment arm as r=torque divide by force.
