On Fri, Nov 12, 2004 at 01:55:44PM -0800, James Newtons Massmind wrote:
> There was a "crackpot" (or was it?) theory that the center of the earth
> holds a fission reactor. Naturally occurring, not man made. Heavier elements
> would naturally gravitate to the center of a forming mass. The earths mantle
> is more than strong enough to contain it and more than thick enough to
> prevent us from sensing it. 

I've read about two hypothesis concerning the source of the heat in the
Earths core: gravitational contraction during the formation of the planet
(the initial source of energy) and the decay of heavy elements (which
continues to provide energy).

Personally, I doubt that fission provides much of the energy that is in the
planets core. The conditions necessary for fission are just hard to come
by. Given the mass of the inner and outer core and that it is composed of
heavier elements, my bet is on unassisted nuclear decay. Another thing to
think about that will give an idea of the mass of radioactive elements
involved is the helium mined from oil and gas wells. Almost all of the mined
helium was once alpha particles generated by radioactive decay. That right
there just boogles my mind.

Take care, Matthew.

-- 
If you stew apples like cranberries, they taste more like prunes than
rhubarb does. -- Groucho Marx
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