Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyIdentifying Points of Disagreement

Two scientists discuss the primary source of internal heat that drives volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon, Io.

Scientist 1
Io's intense volcanic activity is caused by tidal heating. Jupiter's strong gravitational pull, along with the gravity of neighboring moons, continuously squeezes and stretches Io. This tidal flexing creates friction inside Io, generating the heat necessary to melt its interior and drive volcanic eruptions. Radioactive decay plays a negligible role in heating Io's interior.

Scientist 2
Io's volcanic activity is driven by radioactive decay within its core. Like Earth, Io contains large amounts of radioactive isotopes, such as uranium-238 and potassium-40. The decay of these isotopes releases heat over billions of years, which accumulates and melts the mantle. The gravitational influence of Jupiter only affects Io's surface tides and does not generate internal heat.

Based on the passage, Scientist 1 and Scientist 2 disagree on which of the following questions?

  1. A
    Whether Io currently exhibits volcanic activity
  2. Whether tidal heating or radioactive decay is the primary source of heat within IoAnswer
  3. C
    Whether radioactive decay is the primary heat source for Earth's interior
  4. D
    Whether Jupiter's gravity exerts any physical influence on Io

Answer

The scientists disagree on whether tidal heating or radioactive decay is the primary source of heat within Io.
Scientist 1 claims that Io's internal heat is primarily caused by tidal heating and that radioactive decay plays a negligible role. In contrast, Scientist 2 claims that Io's volcanic activity is driven by radioactive decay and that Jupiter's gravitational influence does not generate internal heat. Therefore, they directly disagree on whether tidal heating or radioactive decay is the primary source of internal heat.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify Scientist 1's claim about the heat source.
Scientist 1 claims that tidal heating is the primary cause of volcanism on Io, and that radioactive decay is negligible.
This establishes the first viewpoint.
2
Identify Scientist 2's claim about the heat source.
Scientist 2 claims that radioactive decay is the primary driver of Io's volcanism, and that gravitational heating is negligible.
This establishes the second viewpoint.
3
Compare the two viewpoints to find the point of disagreement.
The two claims directly contradict each other regarding the primary source of heat (tidal heating vs. radioactive decay).
This identifies the specific point of disagreement.

Key Concept

Identifying points of disagreement between conflicting scientific hypotheses.
Rate this question

Topics

Identifying Points of Disagreement

More questions from this topic