Energy Unit Retest
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Question
POSSIBLE POINTS: 5
The picture below shows a model of a water geyser like those in Yellowstone National Park, which erupt with giant plumes of hot water. Which process drives geyser eruption?
Captionless Image
Responses
the radiation of the Sun's energy into the ground water
the radiation of the Sun's energy into the ground water
the convection of water above the hot magma in the mantle
the convection of water above the hot magma in the mantle
the condensation of water that collects underground
the condensation of water that collects underground
the conduction of thermal energy from the ground
the conduction of thermal energy from the ground
The process that drives geyser eruption is the convection of water above the hot magma in the mantle.
To determine which process drives geyser eruption, we need to understand the different processes mentioned in the responses and their relationship to geysers.
- Radiation: This refers to the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight. In the context of geysers, radiation from the Sun does not directly drive the eruption but can contribute to the overall energy input to the system.
- Convection: This process involves the transfer of heat through the movement of fluid (in this case, water) due to density differences. If the water above the hot magma in the mantle heats up, it can create convection currents that eventually lead to an eruption.
- Condensation: Condensation is the process in which a gas (water vapor) turns into a liquid (water) due to cooling. While condensation does occur underground in geothermal systems, it is not the primary driver of geyser eruptions.
- Conduction: Conduction refers to the transfer of heat through a solid material. In the case of geysers, conduction of thermal energy from the ground can contribute to the overall heat input to the system. However, it is not the primary process that drives eruptions.
Based on the descriptions above, the correct answer is "the convection of water above the hot magma in the mantle". Convection currents caused by the heating of water above the hot magma lead to geyser eruptions.
Note: When answering multiple-choice questions like this, it is essential to carefully read each response and eliminate options that do not apply before selecting the correct answer.