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 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  October 31, 2009 01:08 PM

What is the type of metallic core in Europa?

Is the metallic core radioactive and generating heat?

How old is Europa?

Does the age explain the potential for internal heat?

Is this a baby planet in the forming?
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October 31, 2009 10:52 PM
What is the type of metallic core in Europa?
Europa metallic core is of iron /nickle.
----quote----
Europa has a metallic (iron, nickel) core (shown in gray) drawn to the correct relative size. The core is surrounded by a rock shell (shown in brown). The rock layer of Europa (drawn to correct relative scale) is in turn surrounded by a shell of water in ice or liquid form (shown in blue and white and drawn to the correct relative scale)
----quote----
information obtain from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PIA01130_Interior_of_Europa.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PIA01130_Interior_of_Europa.jpg

Is the metallic core radioactive and generating heat?
No the metallic iron/nickle is not radioactive and generates heat.
The cause of the radioactive and generation of heat is done by the Subsurface ocean
----quote----
Most planetary scientists believe that a layer of liquid water exists beneath Europa's surface, kept warm by tidally generated heat.36 The heating by radioactive decay, which is almost the same as in Earth (per kg of rock), cannot provide necessary heating in Europa, because the volume-to-surface ratio is much lower due to the moon's smaller size. Europa's surface temperature averages about 110 K (−160 °C; −260 °F) at the equator and only 50 K (−220 °C; −370 °F) at the poles, keeping Europa's icy crust as hard as granite.
----quote----
information obtain from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_%28moon%29

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/EuropaInterior1.jpg/260px-EuropaInterior1.jpg

How old is Europa?
The age of the moon is not specific it states that it could be 20 to 180 million years old
----quote----
This would seem to indicate a young and active surface; based on estimates of the frequency of cometary bombardment that Europa probably endures, the surface is about 20 to 180 million years old.26 There is currently no full scientific consensus among the sometimes contradictory explanations for the surface features of Europa.
----quote----
information obtain from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_%28moon%29

Does the age explain the potential for internal heat?
No . The internal heating is cause by the Subsurface ocean

Is this a baby planet in the forming?
No.
----quote----
Unlike the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, Europa's is not of biological origin. The surface-bounded atmosphere forms through radiolysis, the dissociation of molecules through radiation49. Solar ultraviolet radiation and charged particles (ions and electrons) from the Jovian magnetospheric environment collide with Europa's icy surface, splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen constituents.
----quote----
information obtain from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_%28moon%29
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PIA01130_Interior_of_Europa.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_%28moon%29

Asker's Rating:
• Does Europa have any land mass or volcanic activity?


Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: davepamn

Tip argmatrixman9000 for this answer
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