Processes that HEAT planets Flashcards
1
Q
Accretion
A
Gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, the kinetic energy turns into thermal energy.
2
Q
Differentiation
A
Light material rises to the surface, Dense material fall to the core conversion gravitational kinetic energy to thermal.
3
Q
Radioactive Decay
A
Mass energy contained in nuclei in converted to thermal energy
4
Q
What three things heat the planet?
A
- Accretion
- Differentiation
- Radioactive Decay
