Getting to know what is inside the Earth.

Geology Thinking Sheet 11/27/17 or 11/28/2017 Watch the following video: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/volcano-lava Where do volcanoes get their heat from? Talk about how the Geosphere

What is the source of the heat in Earth’s Interior Article Read the article on page 5-6 in your new packet. Complete the questions on page 7 in your new packet.

The Four Spheres of the Earth Earth is a very complex place. Although it looks like one large structure, it’s actually got a lot going on that you may not see if you don’t look closely. All of the processes on Earth are driven by four ’spheres’. These ‘spheres’ are connected but we will look at individually. These ‘spheres’ are geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere.

Geosphere Geosphere is name comes from the Greek word ’geo’ meaning ground. This sphere describes all of the rocks, minerals, and ground that are found on earth. Includes mountains, liquid rock in the ground, continents, oceans floor, and the layers of the Earth.

Sources of Earth’s Internal Heat Radioactive Decay Heat of Formation

Radioactive Decay This source is where the Earth MAKES heat. It involves the break down of natural radioactive elements. For example, uranium. Without this process, there would be fewer volcanoes and earthquakes – which equals less building of Earth’s vast mountain ranges.

Radioactive Elements These elements are special because when it decays, breaks down, heat is produced. It is this heat that keeps the Earth from cooling off completely.

The Process

Heat of Formation Watch the following video. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/the-birth-of-earth/ Turn to a partner and answer the following questions: When was the Earth formed? How did the Earth form? Did the Earth look the same as it does now?

Heat of Formation Activity What is accretion? What is the Law of Conservation of Energy? Use the machine to demonstrate this. 2 silver balls coming into contact causing heat energy to be released from the force of the collision. The balls stop in the middle, remember the Law of Conservation of Energy, we transformed the kinetic energy into the heat energy. Now imagine this collision happening hundreds of thousands of times to form our planet. This heat is still being released from the early planetesimal earth and other collisions that have taken place.

Summary Activity – Due Next Time Using a blank piece of paper provided, draw a campaign poster for which source you believe is the most important, radioactive decay or heat of formation. Describe how heat is generated from this source Make sure to include why you think it is more important than the other source.

Quiz Next Time