Convection

Convection
Convection: heat transfer not by

conduction or radiation.
Convection: heat transfer by the
movement of a heated fluid
Convection caused by differences of
temperature and density within a fluid.
Density - Mass per unit volume of a substance.
Results in simultanous transfer of heat and
matter

Convection Current
A constant flow begins as the cooler, denser
fluid continually sinks to the bottom helping
drive the warmer, lighter fluid upwards.
Convection Current is the flow that transfers
heat within a fluid,
Deferential heating and cooling of the fluid
which drive changes in the fluids density, and
the force of gravity combine to set convection
currents in motion
Weather is the result largely of convection
currents
Convection in the Mantle
Earths mantle being cooled at crust and heated
at outer core interface and within the mantle and
crust.
Gravity differences have to overcome the
viscosity of rocks in mantle
Convection currents particularly strong in the
weak Asthenosphere.
In mantle the viscosity is high enough that
convection currents flow at 10 cm/yr but hugh
areas can result in significant volume movement

If particle B sinks to B, its
temperature increases to TB,
which is still cooler and there-
fore more dense than the
surrounding mantle so it
continues to sink to the Core
Meanwhile, particle A from the hot
Interface with the Core (the
D layer) rises to A, it cools but
remains warmer less dense than
the surrounding, so it continues to
rise to the surface
Convection, Flow and Heat
Transfer in Core
Outer core liquid with low viscosity so
convection has little resistance
However outer core is iron which allows
easy conduction of heat so temperature
and related density differences do not
develop little convection
EXCEPT density difference caused by
differences in chemical composition
Inner core, solid iron, no convection

These would include:
Water vapor (H
2
O)
Sulfur dioxide (SO
2
)
Hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S)
Carbon dioxide (CO
2
)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Ammonia (NH
3
)
Methane (CH
4
)
The Evolving Atmosphere
Note that oxygen (O2) gas is not created by
volcanic eruptions
The Earth behaves as if there was a
magnet in its interior.
S
N
As a result a compass will always point
towards the North
S
N
A compass is a Magnetized
piece of metal that can spin.
S
N
N
S
The north tip of the compass
always points towards the
North MAGNETIC Pole of the
Earth
North attracts South
A Magnetic Field also protects us from
the Solar Wind
These particles are deflected by the
Earths Magnetic Field and basically
allow life to exist on the surface
unprotected
What causes a Planets Magnetic Field?
The Earths Magnetic Field is created in the
same way you make an electromagnet
In an electromagnet the electrons move
around an iron nail
+
-
The Iron Core of the Earth is an
electromagnet
The core is surrounded by
liquid Iron and Nickel
As electrons flow around the
core the magnetic field is
produced
The Earths rotation makes
the electrons flow at very
high speeds
The rotating Earth creates
movement of liquid iron in
Outer Core, inducing a magnetic
field, like in an electric motor

Cause and Result of Convection
in Earths Outer Core
Caused by rotation of Earth on Axis
Convection creates electric currents in the outer
liquid iron core which creates magnetic field.
Alignment with rotation subject to fluxuation
Periodically (250,000 years or so) reverses
polarity
Magnetic field protect Earth from Solar Wind
Other Planets in our Solar System have
Magnetic Fields

Planet

Magnetic Field

Mercury

100 times weaker than Earth

Venus

25,000 times weaker than Earth

Earth

30,000 60,000 nT

Mars

5000 times weaker than Earth

Jupiter

20,000 times greater than Earth

Saturn

540 times greater than Earth

Uranus

40 times greater than Earth

Neptune

that of Earth

Pluto

None that we know of

Mercury
Mercury has a weak magnetic field.
This suggests Mercury has an iron
core with liquid interior.
The weak magnetic field could be
the result of the slow rotation
period.
Venus
Venus appears to lack the
necessary ingredients to
generate a magnetic field
(no liquid core?)
Venus has a very weak magnetic field.
(About 100,000 times weaker than
Earths)
Venus also has very slow
rotation.
Mars
Mars also has a very weak magnetic
field.
(About 5,000 times weaker than Earths)
The interior of Mars appears to have
cooled so much that it is no longer
liquid.
The volcanoes in Mars are no longer active
There is no Earthquake activity on Mars
Jupiter
Jupiter has a strong magnetic field.
(About 20,000 times stronger than
Earths)
The Terrestrial planets generate
magnetic fields from iron at the
center.
But Jupiter has almost no iron core.
The magnetic field of Jupiter is produced by the motion of
liquefied metallic hydrogen found beneath the surface.
Saturn
Saturn also has a strong
magnetic field.
(About 540 times stronger
than Earths)
Saturns magnetic field is produced in the same way Jupiters is.
Uranus
The magnetic field in
Uranus is about 40 times
stronger than Earths
It is probably created in the
core of the planet, with ice,
rather than with iron.
Neptune
The magnetic field in Uranus
is about 1/4 times as strong
as Earths
It is probably created in the
same way as Uranus
Magnetic Field Reversal
Earths magnetic fluctuates in direction
and intensity
Caused by eddies in Outer Core
convection currents
Magnetic poles move around rotational
poles
Every 200,000 years over last 15 million
see full reversal of polarity
Takes 1-6000 years, strength diminishes

Convection

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Convection: heat transfer not by

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