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Chapter 19: Problem 101

What is the source of heat for volcanic activities on Earth?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The source of heat for volcanic activities on Earth is geothermal energy, originating from the remaining heat from the planet's formation and the radioactive decay of isotopes.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Geothermal Energy

Firstly, it's important to understand that the heat within the Earth, which fuels volcanic activities, comes from two main types of sources. The first source, accounting for approximately 80% of the heat, is the heat left over from planetary formation. The second source, contributing the remaining 20%, is the ongoing radioactive decay of isotopes like Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium, which occurs within the Earth's core and mantle.
02

Understanding The Role Of Geothermal Energy in Volcanic Activity

Volcanic activity is primarily fueled by geothermal energy. This geothermal energy, generated by the Earth, is responsible for the melting of rock within the Earth's mantle, creating magma. Once this magma finds a path to the Earth's surface through the crust, a volcano erupts.
03

Conclusion

The source of heat for volcanic activities on Earth is primarily the Earth's inherent geothermal energy, originating from the remaining heat from the planet’s formation and the radioactive decay of isotopes within the Earth’s mantle and core. This heat is responsible for the formation of magma, which leads to volcanic eruptions when it finds a way to the Earth's surface.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Sources of energy on Earth include fossil fuels, geothermal, gravitational, hydroelectric, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, solar, wind. Which of these have a "nuclear origin," either directly or indirectly?

After the Chernobyl accident, people living close to the nuclear reactor site were urged to take large amounts of potassium iodide as a safety precaution. What is the chemical basis for this action?

Two radioactive isotopes \(\mathrm{X}\) and \(\mathrm{Y}\) have the same molar amount at \(t=0 .\) A week later, there are four times as many \(\mathrm{X}\) as there are \(\mathrm{Y} .\) If the half-life of \(\mathrm{X}\) is \(2.0 \mathrm{~d}\), calculate the half-life of \(\mathrm{Y}\) in days.

In the thorium decay series, thorium- 232 loses a total of \(6 \alpha\) particles and \(4 \beta\) particles in a 10 -stage process. What is the final isotope produced?

What is the belt of stability?
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