The Magnetic Mystery at the Center of the Earth (Science Article Analysis)
Date of article publication: September 4, 2015
Author: Thomas Sumner
Attached Article: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/magnetic-mystery-center-earth
Analysis by: Jessica Vela
Date of article publication: September 4, 2015
Author: Thomas Sumner
Attached Article: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/magnetic-mystery-center-earth
Analysis by: Jessica Vela
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To summarize, the article talks about possible theories that have been worked on that try to explain the generation of the magnetic field. Though theories may not be completely accurate, research has given scientist a good base of information to the possible formation of the magnetic field. According to research, the article states that deep down to the iron core of the planet, temperatures can reach extremities comparable to the sun’s surface. Though we owe our existence to the sun, it is able to generate electrically charged particles out to space and to earth that could mean death to life on it. The magnetic field acts as a shield to hazardous particles thrown at the planet and redirects them with its magnetic defense, preventing life from extinction off the face of the planet. One theory to the creation of the magnetic field from 2012 suggests that the iron of the planet’s core is able to conduct more heat than previously thought. The core at the center of the planet is a heat-powered engine that has been fueled mainly by energy left from cosmic collisions, such as the collision of a huge meteorite on the planet which resulted in the formation of the moon 4.5 billion years ago. Through the years, the planet cools off and the primordial heat flows through the liquid outer layer that surrounds the inner solid core, during this, thermal energy transfers from atom to atom through a process called conduction, in which material remains in the same spot while heat flows through it. As heat flows through the a material, it exceeds the amount of temperature that the certain material is able to handle, warmer patches rise and then the material itself moves, known as convection. The material now moves, swirling the molten lava in the outer core, which serves as a dynamo (a conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy). The dynamo is crucial to the development of the magnetic field. A dynamo acts as an electrical generator that produces an electrical current through the iron, producing its own magnetism, which all together creates and sustains a larger magnetic field around the planet. The problem that has arisen through the progression of time is the cooling of the planet’s core as time passes, slowly cooling the core, and weakening the magnetic field. Buoyancy of expelled elements have helped keep the core in revolution, keeping only about 4% of the core freezed, but it still leaves plenty of energy to keep the magnetic field for future billions of years. Geophysicists now expect the field to strengthen when lighter elements leave the inner core and begin stirring the dynamo. Certain actions like these are thankfully able to sustain the magnetic field.
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This article was picked to do an extensive article analysis because there is still no certain explanation to the exact process of the magnetic field generation, even though the article has stated possible theories. This is a very interesting field of study that should be picked to study more often, science has covered and acquired knowledge from a variety of subjects, but the riddle surrounding the magnetic field has remained and should be uncovered in order to continue to progress knowledge that we know about our home planet. Solving the mystery of the magnetic field can inclusively help us on the look out for earth-like planets, since it forms an important of life on the planet. The article is important to the world of today because it directly affects life on the planet, without the protection of the magnetic field, there would be no life on the planet. Weakening of the magnetic field poses a danger to the entire planet due to incoming threats from space. For the world of today, it is important to gather a better understanding of the magnetic field in case of future disasters.
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Work Cited
“The Magnetic Mystery at the Center of the Earth.” Science News. Web. 7 Sep. 2015. <https://www.sciencenews.org/article/magnetic-mystery-center-earth>
“The Magnetic Mystery at the Center of the Earth.” Science News. Web. 7 Sep. 2015. <https://www.sciencenews.org/article/magnetic-mystery-center-earth>