A Worksheet on Magmatism and Earth’s Internal Heat (Week 3)

INTRODUCTION TO USERS:

Another week, another goal. Let today the start of something new. Welcome to your third worksheet in Earth
and Life Science!

Last meeting, you learned about the physical and chemical characteristics of minerals, rock-forming
minerals, and the three types of rocks. In this worksheet, you'll learn where the Earth's internal heat is coming from
and the formation of magma. Once you encountered a problem with this module, feel free to contact me.

Developer: Ruth D. May-os (09103009599, ruth.mayos@deped.gov.ph), SSTI, Atok-District

LEARNING AREA: Earth and Life Science 11

QUARTER: One
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
o describe where the Earth’s internal heat comes from (S11/12ES-Ib-14);
o describe how magma is formed (magmatism).

INTRODUCTION TO THE LESSON:

Review: Recall, find, and encircle 15 concepts or terms that you encountered in your second module.

Last meeting, you learned that igneous rocks are formed from solidified magma or lava but have you asked
yourself, "Where are this magma coming from?" or "how are they formed?". Also, you learned that magma is a
hot, liquid material. Where do you think did this hot temperature originated?

Discussion:

We all believe that the sun is the primary source of light and heat energy on Earth. But, do you know that
aside from the sun, one source of heat energy is from the interior part of the Earth? Where is this internal heat
coming from, and how are they being released on the Earth's surface?

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 SOURCES OF THE EARTH’S INTERNAL HEAT

There are two main sources of the Earth's internal heat, the primordial heat, and the radioactive heat. Based
on a study conducted in Japan by Itaru Shimizu, a particle physicist at Tohoku University, and his colleagues,
54% of the Earth's internal heat reaching the Earth's surface is from radioactive heat. The rest is from primordial
heat.

Earth's Internal Heat(%)

Radioactive Heat Primodial Heat

A. Primordial Heat

- This is an accumulated heat released or formed during the early stages of the Earth’s formation. There
are two categories of primordial heat based on the source and period of heat production. These are
accretional heat and gravitational release.

a. Accretional heat

- This was produced during the accretion stage of the Earth's formation.
In this early stage, atoms and particles were sticking together, forming
larger particles. As these larger particles gently collide with each other,
they started to create more massive balls until a planetesimal was
formed. Planetesimals are large or massive enough to possess gravity.
Its gravity causes it to attract smaller objects. At this point, the
planetesimal was being bombarded by comets, asteroids, etc. Influenced
by other processes, this planetesimal evolved to a planet. The
accretional heat was released during particle collisions and Earth's
planetesimal or protoplanet bombardment. How? https://planethunters.files.wordpress.co
m/2014/01/accretion-nature.jpg
- During the collision process, the Earth heats up because of the kinetic
energy of the colliding bodies. This kinetic energy is converted to heat. If two meteorites collide, the heat
radiates back into space. But if the collision involves a planetesimal, the energy deeply penetrates that
allows heating beneath the planetesimal's surface. The debris during the collision blankets or covers the
planetesimal's surface, retaining the heat inside of it. The amount or percentage of heat release during
accretion is unknown because of factors such as it being dependent on environmental conditions and
specific formation timescales.
* The scenario is similar: hitting a hammer on a hard surface. After the hitting, the hammer heats up. The kinetic energy is transformed to heat energy.

b. Gravitational release

- During the formation of planetesimals and protoplanet (differentiation

process), the gravitational potential of dense materials (metals) is converted
to heat. In this process, the materials that compose a planetesimal or
protoplanet separates according to their density. Materials or components
with the highest density (iron) are moved at the center or core, while
materials with the lowest density are moved at the surface. This movement
of materials or components with high density creates friction and releases
http://www.indiana.edu/~geol105/i
heat (1,000 K (1,800 °F; 1,000 °C). The amount of heat energy released is mages/gaia_chapter_3/earthdiff2.jpg
explained by the formula (E = - G M m / r) where:
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 E= Energy; G= Gravitation force; M and m = Masses of the two involved objects; and r= distance from
the center

Based on what was already discussed, some of the Earth's internal heat is a leftover from the Earth's formation. But,
the Earth is cooling slowly. However, through another process called radioactivity, the Earth's internal temperature
= is almost constant because the radioactive process is releasing almost the same heat that the Earth is losing.

B. Radioactive heat

- These are heat produced from four radioactive isotopes found in the Earth’s core or mantle. These are the
K40, Th232, U235, and U238.
- Potassium-40 (K40) has a half-life of 1.28 × 109 years. Thorium-232 has a half-life of about 14 billion
years. Uranium-235 half-life is over 700 million years while U238 has over 4.5 billion years. Thus this
radioactive isotopes can supply parts of our Earth’s internal heat for billions of years.

Estimated Earth’s Internal Temperature

Inner Core 9,000 and 13,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,000 and 7,000 degrees Celsius)
Outer Core 7,200 to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit (4,000 to 5,000 degrees Celsius)
Mantle 1000° Celsius (1832° Fahrenheit) near its boundary with the crust, to 3700° Celsius
(6692° Fahrenheit) near its boundary with the core

EARTH’S REDISTRIBUTION OF HEAT

a. Convection
- The sinking of denser or colder liquid material and the
rising of hotter or lighter liquid material within the
mantle and outer core.
b. Conduction
- It is the transfer of heat from the core to the mantle or
the asthenosphere to the crust. It also happens between
the solid inner core and the liquid outer core.
c. Radiation
- It is the transfer of heat from the crust to things on the
Earth's surface through the atmosphere or
electromagnetic waves.
d. Advection
- It is the horizontal transfer of heat through fluid flow.
Its difference with convection is that this is not
dependent on density differences, but an external or
outside force is needed for the transfer to occur.
Examples of these outside forces are wind or currents.

MAGMATISM

Since we are done discussing the sources of the Earth's internal heat, let us move on to magma production or
formation in the Earth's mantle and the rising or movement of magma towards the Earth’s crust.

What is Magma?

- Magma is a hot liquid material and semi-liquid rock that mostly compose the Earth’s mantle. It is
composed of different minerals with a small percentage of dissolved gasses such as carbon dioxide, water
vapor, and sulfur.

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Three types of Magma according to Chemical Composition

a. Basaltic Magma/Mafic Magma

- It is composed of silicon dioxide, and a high percentage of
iron, calcium, magnesium, and a low percentage of silicon
dioxide. Its temperature is ranging from 10000C to 12000C.
b. Andesitic Magma
- It has a moderate amount of silicon dioxide, iron, calcium,
magnesium, and silicon dioxide. Its temperature is ranging
from about 800oC to 1000oC.
c. Rhyolitic magma
- It contains a high percentage of sodium and potassium, but a
low percentage of magnesium, iron, and calcium. It has a
temperature ranging from 650oC to 800oC.

Formation of Magma during the Earth’s Formation

- When was the formation of magma started? When there was enough primordial heat during the Earth's
accretion and differentiation, the Earth's protoplanet's near-surface started to melt, forming a magma
ocean. According to the most accepted terrestrial model, extensive heat from the combination of
primordial and radioactive heat formed a vast magma ocean covering the Earth's surface. As the Earth
cooled, the upper part of the magma ocean crystallized, forming the Earth's crust while it's lower part
remained as hot, liquid magma. The pressure and high temperature inside the Earth's crust keep the magma
in its liquid state. As the mantle temperature increase due to radioactivity, it causes a more significant
upper mantle melting. This results in the release of more magma on the Earth's surface, forming thicker
crusts.

Special conditions required for the Formation of Magma

1. Decompression melting (reducing pressure at a constant temperature)

- A low-pressure area has a lower melting point than a high-pressure area. Magma formation through
decompression melting usually happens when a solid mantle melts as it rises to an area with lower pressure
through a convection process. The melting occurs because of decompression or the reduction of pressure.
2. Flux melting ( melting of rocks due to the addition of volatiles)
- Hot solid rocks usually melt, forming magma, at a lower temperature when added to a volatile substance
such as carbon dioxide and water. Volatiles can decrease a rock's melting point and break the chemical
bonds in a rock. This happens in subduction zones where water overlying a subducting seafloor lowers
the melting point of the mantle. This melts parts of the mantle, generating magma that rises to the
subduction zone surface.
3. Heat transfer melting
- This happens when rock melts as it encounters a rising magma.

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ACTIVITY 1: IDENTIFYING TERMS

Instructions: Complete the term on each item's right side by identifying what is being defined or described.
1. happens when a part of solid mantle melts as it rises to an area with lower __ __ c __ m__r__ss__ __ n
pressure m__ l__ __ __ g
2. type of magma with a moderate amount of silicon dioxide, iron, calcium, a__ __ e__ i__i__
magnesium, and silicon dioxide. __ a__ __ a
3. melting of rocks due to the additon of volatiles __ __ ux
__ __lt__ng
4. type of magma with high percentage of sodium and potassium r__ y__l__t__ __ m__ __ m__
5. transfer of heat between liquid and solid or solid and solid __ __ n__ __c__ __ o__
6. accumulated heat released during the early stages of the Earth’s formation __ r__ __ o__ __a__ __ __a__
7. horizontal transfer of heat through fluid flow __ __ __ e__t__ __n
8. transfer of heat within liquid or gases with different density or temperature __ o__ v__ __t__ o__
9. heat produced between the collision of smaller objects and the Earth’s protoplanet a__ c__r__ __ io__ __l
h__ __ __t
10. heat produced during the differentiation process of Earth's components __ __ __vi__ __ t__ __n__ __
r__ __ __ a__e
11. hot liquid material and semi-liquid rock that mostly composes the Earth's __a__ __ a
mantle
12. primordial heat produced by Uranium, Potassium, and Thorium isotopes __ __ ___ i__a__ __ i__e
h__ __t
13. type of magma with high percentage of iron, calcium, and magnesium __ __ s__ __t__c m__g__ __
14. transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves r__ d__ __t__ __n
15. Solidified Magma __ a__ a

ACTIVITY 2. CONCEPT MAPPING

Instruction: Using a concept map, do what is being asked in each item. A concept map is a visual representation of
information. It could be through graphic organizers, charts, flow charts, tables, timelines, or Venn diagrams. Use a
separate sheet of paper and make sure to attach it to this worksheet.

*note: Paraphrase answers. Don't copy the exact description or explanation in your worksheet. But, make sure that the
content is still the same.

1. Identify and shortly explain or describe the sources of the Earth's internal heat
2. Identify and differentiate the three types of magma
3. In a diagram, explain the different ways of how magma is formed.
4. In a diagram, explain the five Earth’s internal heat transfer

ACTIVITY 3: APPLICATION
Electromagnetic field, gravitational force, and habitable crust existed because of the Earth's internal activity, such as the
movement of hot molten materials in the Earth’s core and mantle (magma). What do you think would happened once the
source of the Earth's internal heat is gone or consumed?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

What do you think is the possible alternative that science could develop or discover once the Earth nearly loses its internal
heat source?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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ACTIVITY 4: GENERALIZATION
Give at least five importance of the Earth's internal heat.

ACTIVITY 5. ASSESSMENT

1. Which among the following best describes a radioactive heat?

a. heat produced by beta, gamma, and alpha decay
b. heat produced by isotopes
c. heat produced from molten magma
d. heat from the decay of radioactive isotopes
2. Which among the following describes primordial heat?
a. accumulated heat released during the early stages of the Earth’s formation
b. heat produced during the accretion stage of the Earth's formation
c. heat released during the differentiation of planetesimal's component
d. a,b, and c
3. liquid-liquid is to convection as gas to gas is to _______________
a. Convection b. Conduction c. Radiation d. Advection
4. Magma is formed when rock melts because it is moved to a lower pressure area but with the same
temperature.
a. Decompression melting b. Flux melting c. Heat transfer melting c. Subduction
5. liquid-liquid is to convection as liquid to solid is to _______________
a. Convection b. Conduction c. Radiation d. Advection
6. Magma is formed when a hot solid rock is subjected to volatile substances.
a. Decompression melting b. Flux melting c. Heat transfer melting d. Subduction
7. Magma is formed when rock melts because it encounters a rising magma.
a. Decompression melting b. Flux melting c. Heat transfer melting d. Subduction

Label the convection, conduction, and radiation below.

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ACTIVITY 6: ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Optional
To further enhance your knowledge about magmatism, you may click the links below and watch the sources of internal
heat, magma formation, and the planet formation since it is connected to our topic.

https://youtu.be/WtSE1svxRm4
https://youtu.be/FYheqR5R3QI
https://youtu.be/uHUTbq-j0UU

Answer Key

Lava 15.
Radiation 14.
Basaltic magma 13.
Radioactive heat 12.
Magma 11.
Gravitational release 10.
Accretional heat 9.
Convection 8. c 7.
Advection 7. b 6.
Primordial heat 6. d 5.
Conduction 5. a 4.
Rhyolitic magma 4. a 3.
Flux melting 3. d 2.
Andesitic magma 2. d 1.
Decompression melting 1.
Activity 1 Assessment

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 REFERENCES

Book

Aileen C. Dela Cruz et. al., Earth and Life Science, Quezon City, EC-TEC Commercial, 2016, 24-39
Website

https://www.nature.com/articles/srep02762

https://opentextbc.ca/geology/chapter/3-2-magma-and-magma-formation/

https://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/geol212/lectures/10.html

https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/accretional-
heating#:~:text=accretional%20heating%20The%20heating%20of,%22accretional%20heating%20.%22

http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/kurt/Astronomy110G/Lectures/18.Origins-I.pdf

https://www.britannica.com/place/Earth/Effects-of-planetesimal-impacts

https://physics.info/gravitation-energy/

https://earthsky.org/earth/what-is-the-source-of-the-heat-in-the-earths-interior

https://www.livescience.com/15084-radioactive-decay-increases-earths-heat.html

https://www.purdue.edu/science/science-express/labs/labs/Lisa-Christine%20K40%20half-
life.doc#:~:text=The%20beta%20decay%2Felectron%20capture,1.19%20%C3%97%201010%20years

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=658&tid=121

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2011/07/earth-still-retains-much-its-original-heat

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/magma/#:~:text=Magma%20is%20extremely%20hot%20liquid,pl
anet's%20mantle%20consists%20of%20magma

https://www.intechopen.com/books/earth-crust/introductory-chapter-earth-crust-origin-structure-composition-and-
evolution

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/surface-of-the-earth/earths-interior/

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/mantle/

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/magma/#:~:text=There%20are%20three%20basic%20types,low%
20in%20potassium%20and%20sodium.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/magma-role-rock-
cycle/#:~:text=Flux%20melting%20occurs%20when%20water,also%20occurs%20around%20subduction%20zones.