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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 is caused by what?
The thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of molten rock in the mantle. Heat from Earth's core causes the mantle to circulate in a convection current, which in turn drags the overlying tectonic plates along with it, driving plate motion.
What is the thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
Thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of heat within the Earth's mantle. As the Earth's interior heat is transferred towards the surface, it generates convective currents in the mantle, leading to the movement of tectonic plates. This process is known as mantle convection and is a key driver of plate tectonics.
What are thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
Thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of heat within the Earth's mantle. As the mantle material near the core heats up, it becomes less dense and rises towards the surface. Once it reaches the surface, it cools and becomes denser, causing it to sink back down towards the core. This cycle of rising and sinking material creates a continuous flow that helps drive the movement of tectonic plates.
What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?
The motion of the continental plates on Earth is primarily driven by the process of mantle convection. Heat from Earth's core causes the rock in the mantle to slowly move, creating convection currents that push and pull the plates along with them. This movement leads to the drifting and collision of the plates, shaping the Earth's surface over millions of years.
What is the pattern formed in fluid when heating causes part of the fluid to rise and then cooling causes it to sink again with earths mantle they circulate heat and drive plate tectonic processes?
This pattern is known as convection, where heated fluid rises and cooler fluid sinks, creating a circular motion within the fluid. In Earth's mantle, this convection of molten rock transfers heat and drives the movement of tectonic plates, influencing processes such as seafloor spreading and subduction.
What is the thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by what?
The thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of molten rock in the mantle. Heat from Earth's core causes the mantle to circulate in a convection current, which in turn drags the overlying tectonic plates along with it, driving plate motion.
What is the thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
Thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of heat within the Earth's mantle. As the Earth's interior heat is transferred towards the surface, it generates convective currents in the mantle, leading to the movement of tectonic plates. This process is known as mantle convection and is a key driver of plate tectonics.
What drives plate motion inside earth?
convection currents
Another major factor that drives plate motion is?
mantle convection
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 happens as thermal energy is transferred from the core to the mantle?
As thermal energy is transferred from the core to the mantle, it causes movement in the mantle material, known as mantle convection. This movement drives the motion of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface. Heat transfer also affects the temperature and composition of the mantle, influencing its physical properties and behavior.
What is Thermal convection?
The transfer of heat (therms) through fluid (including air) motion.
What are thermal convection that drives plate motion caused by?
Thermal convection that drives plate motion is caused by the movement of heat within the Earth's mantle. As the mantle material near the core heats up, it becomes less dense and rises towards the surface. Once it reaches the surface, it cools and becomes denser, causing it to sink back down towards the core. This cycle of rising and sinking material creates a continuous flow that helps drive the movement of tectonic plates.
What is the thermal energy transfer that occurs by the motion of fluid in liquid or gas?
The thermal energy transfer that occurs by the motion of fluid in liquid or gas is known as convection. This process involves the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid due to density differences created by temperature variations. Convection is a key mechanism for distributing heat in fluids.
What drives the motion of the continental plates on Earth?
The motion of the continental plates on Earth is primarily driven by the process of mantle convection. Heat from Earth's core causes the rock in the mantle to slowly move, creating convection currents that push and pull the plates along with them. This movement leads to the drifting and collision of the plates, shaping the Earth's surface over millions of years.
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.
