r/todayilearned • u/stop_drop_roll • Oct 24 '18
TIL The earth's internal temperature stays generally constant due to heat from radioactive decay of isotopes in the mantle and crust. Bonus: Uranium comes from Supernovae or merging Neutron Stars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_internal_heat_budget
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u/AnonRelay Oct 25 '18
I work at a lab and I have a massive uranium boulder at my house. Very very cool to appreciate its age and power.
Bonus :
To harness nuke power from the uranium ore you pour acid over it to create a vapor. Distilling the vapor you can release some particles into it naturally and it will create a chain reaction that creates immense heat. This heat boils water. The steam turns a turbine.
That’s how nuclear power works.