Chapter 39, Problem 34A

You and your friend journey to the mountain foothills to get closer to nature and to escape such things as radioactivity. While bathing in the warmth of a natural hot spring, your friend wonders aloud how the spring gets its heat. What is your response?

To determine

The reason for the hot spring.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The high amount of energy is released during the radioactive decay of material. The released energy converts into heat and transfers to other mediums.

The atomic particles in an atom are bind in the nucleus due to strong nuclear force. When the nucleus of element changes due to radioactive decay, then the neutron changes into protons. The high amount of energy is released during this conversion.

The high amount of energy changes to heat and heat up the water sources inside the earth. The water from the heated water sources comes out from the earth as hot spring.

Conclusion:

Thus, the water inside the earth heated by the energy released in radioactive decay and water inside the earth erupts as hot spring.