Question
Which statement is correct about the flow of thermal energy inside Earth?(1 point)
Responses
Energy flow inside the crust causes magma to sink deeper.
Energy flow inside the crust causes magma to sink deeper.
Energy flow inside the crust causes magma to rise.
Energy flow inside the crust causes magma to rise.
Energy flow inside the mantle causes magma to sink deeper.
Energy flow inside the mantle causes magma to sink deeper.
Energy flow inside the mantle causes magma to rise.
To determine the correct statement about the flow of thermal energy inside Earth, we need to understand the process of energy flow and its effect on magma movement.
The Earth's interior is composed of several layers, including the crust and mantle. Heat is generated within the Earth due to various processes like radioactive decay and residual heat from its formation. This heat causes thermal energy to flow from the hotter regions to the cooler regions, creating a thermal gradient.
In the case of the crust, the energy flow generally causes magma to rise rather than sink deeper. This is because the heat from the mantle transfers to the crust, increasing the temperature and decreasing the density of the rocks. As a result, the less dense magma is buoyant and tends to rise towards the surface, leading to volcanic activity.
However, the statement "Energy flow inside the crust causes magma to sink deeper" is incorrect as it contradicts the general understanding of magma movement caused by heat flow.
Similarly, the statement "Energy flow inside the mantle causes magma to sink deeper" is also incorrect. The mantle is a region that experiences convective heat transfer, with hotter material rising and cooler material sinking. This convection process is one of the driving forces behind plate tectonics. As hot mantle material rises towards the surface, it can melt and form magma, which has a lower density and tends to rise.
Therefore, the correct statement among the given options is "Energy flow inside the crust causes magma to rise."