Why the core spin faster than the manlte

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In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between the Earth's rotation and its core, specifically why the core spins faster than the crust. It is theorized that the moon and space itself cause drag on the Earth's surface, slowing down its rotation. The core, being liquid, maintains a more constant inertia while the outer layers are affected by the moon's gravitational forces. Over time, this leads to a difference in rotation between the solid outer crust and the liquid core. The conversation also touches on the role of the Earth's magnetic field, with the suggestion that the core acts as a conductor for storing and releasing energy. Some other questions are posed, such as the possibility of the Sun's magnetic field affecting the Earth's rotation and the different gravitational
  • #1
Joshua Nuijen
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This is more of a question. I don't have a background in physics as you might notice. I am looking for a little help.

Why the core spins faster than the crust?

At a point the earth’s rotation was much faster, both core and out layers pretty much at the same speed. Both the moon and space itself causes drag on the surface of the earth. Once the moon comes into play, the earth’s inertia is slowed down by the moon gravitational forces along with the drag of space itself.

Since the center is liquid and in itself has inertia does not mean that both the core and outer layers are affected the same. The inertia on the core remains more at a constant while the outer layers are dragged, if you will, against the moon’s forces causing the out layers to slow while the inner core is affected less .

Of course, over a considerable amount of time. This would cause a different in rotation for both the solid outer and the liquid core. During the development of the earth, the outer crust begins to cool while the mantle cools, and the mantles electrons would a line in the direction of the magnetic poles.

Due to the thickness of this direction line up of electrons in the crust and mantle wouldn’t the stationary crust/mantle electrons create lines of flux and the core of iron act as a conductor in a sense?

After the core begins to lap the crust/mantle a difference in magnetic fields (crust/mantle and core) will begin to conduct. The core is the conductor that stores energy and releases it in both a magnetic field and heat.

At this point could we consider the Earth as one massive inductor?

Does the core after lapping the solid outer mantle only can stored so much energy that is cannot appose/rotate anymore due to the magnetic differences and comes to a stop?

The core would change its rotation direction due to the opposition of fields. A total of two shift of rotation would have to be applied given what has been researched. The opposing core rotation would only last a faction of the time versus when it rotates the same direction.

Is it a possibility that our rotation and the Sun’s magnetic field play a part in the amount of energy the Earth takes in and keep its core moving?

Does the speed in which the planet rotation directly correlate with how much energy the planet can store?

Is the reason that Venus has a greater gravitational forces is become the crust and it mantle have been slowed down so mush versus its core causing a larger difference against the opposing fields?

Is the reason Mars has a less gravitational pull become it was not large enough to store enough energy to allow the core to spin and change direction?

Maybe after its first cycle it didn’t have the energy for its core to jump start again when it did change directions. That would be reason for it having an atmosphere for a given duration and the reason it die out long before Earth will.
 
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  • #2
Both the moon and space itself causes drag on the surface of the earth.
How does space cause drag?

and the mantles electrons would a line in the direction of the magnetic poles.
What does that mean/how?
Due to the thickness of this direction line up of electrons in the crust and mantle wouldn’t the stationary crust/mantle electrons create lines of flux and the core of iron act as a conductor in a sense?
I don't understand that.
After the core begins to lap the crust/mantle a difference in magnetic fields (crust/mantle and core) will begin to conduct.
How can "a difference in magnetic fields" conduct? And what does it conduct?

I cannot follow anything beyond that point.

The magnetic field of the sun at Earth's orbit is negligible.

Is the reason that Venus has a greater gravitational forces
It does not have that. And rotation does not matter there.

Is the reason Mars has a less gravitational pull become it was not large enough to store enough energy to allow the core to spin and change direction?
No, Mars has a lower mass, it is as simple as that.
 
  • #3
Joshua Nuijen said:
This is more of a question. I don't have a background in physics as you might notice. I am looking for a little help.

Why the core spins faster than the crust?

At a point the earth’s rotation was much faster, both core and out layers pretty much at the same speed. Both the moon and space itself causes drag on the surface of the earth. Once the moon comes into play, the earth’s inertia is slowed down by the moon gravitational forces along with the drag of space itself.

Since the center is liquid and in itself has inertia does not mean that both the core and outer layers are affected the same. The inertia on the core remains more at a constant while the outer layers are dragged, if you will, against the moon’s forces causing the out layers to slow while the inner core is affected less .

Of course, over a considerable amount of time. This would cause a different in rotation for both the solid outer and the liquid core. During the development of the earth, the outer crust begins to cool while the mantle cools, and the mantles electrons would a line in the direction of the magnetic poles.

Due to the thickness of this direction line up of electrons in the crust and mantle wouldn’t the stationary crust/mantle electrons create lines of flux and the core of iron act as a conductor in a sense?

After the core begins to lap the crust/mantle a difference in magnetic fields (crust/mantle and core) will begin to conduct. The core is the conductor that stores energy and releases it in both a magnetic field and heat.

At this point could we consider the Earth as one massive inductor?

Does the core after lapping the solid outer mantle only can stored so much energy that is cannot appose/rotate anymore due to the magnetic differences and comes to a stop?

The core would change its rotation direction due to the opposition of fields. A total of two shift of rotation would have to be applied given what has been researched. The opposing core rotation would only last a faction of the time versus when it rotates the same direction.

Is it a possibility that our rotation and the Sun’s magnetic field play a part in the amount of energy the Earth takes in and keep its core moving?

Does the speed in which the planet rotation directly correlate with how much energy the planet can store?

Is the reason that Venus has a greater gravitational forces is become the crust and it mantle have been slowed down so mush versus its core causing a larger difference against the opposing fields?

Is the reason Mars has a less gravitational pull become it was not large enough to store enough energy to allow the core to spin and change direction?

Maybe after its first cycle it didn’t have the energy for its core to jump start again when it did change directions. That would be reason for it having an atmosphere for a given duration and the reason it die out long before Earth will.

I had trouble reading your post and so reformatted it for others.

Perhaps this earlier PF post will help answer your questions:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=211921
 
  • #4
With that, thread closed.

Joshua, read your private messages.
 
  • #5
I can provide some insights into why the Earth's core spins faster than the mantle. First, it's important to understand that the Earth's core is made up of primarily iron and nickel, which are both highly conductive materials. This means that they are able to transfer and store energy efficiently.

Additionally, the Earth's core is also in a liquid state, which allows it to flow more easily. This means that any changes in the Earth's rotation can be absorbed and redistributed by the core more easily than in the solid mantle.

Now, let's address the question of why the core spins faster than the mantle. As you mentioned, the moon's gravitational forces and the drag of space play a role in slowing down the Earth's rotation. However, this is not the only factor at play.

The Earth's magnetic field is also a significant factor in the difference in rotation between the core and the mantle. The Earth's rotation and its magnetic field are closely linked, and changes in one can affect the other. The core, being highly conductive, can store and release energy in the form of a magnetic field. This magnetic field interacts with the Earth's own magnetic field, causing a difference in rotation between the core and the mantle.

As for the role of the Sun's magnetic field, it is definitely a factor in the Earth's rotation and energy storage. The Sun's magnetic field can influence the Earth's magnetic field, which in turn affects the rotation of the core. So, in a way, the Sun's magnetic field does play a part in how much energy the Earth can store and how its core spins.

As for the differences in gravitational forces between Venus and Mars, it is not just due to the differences in their core rotation. Other factors such as the composition and mass of the planet also play a role.

In conclusion, the Earth's core spins faster than the mantle due to its composition, its liquid state, and its ability to store and release energy in the form of a magnetic field. The Moon's gravitational forces and the Sun's magnetic field also play a role in the Earth's rotation and energy storage.
 

What causes the core to spin faster than the mantle?

The core of the Earth is made up of iron and nickel, which are denser materials compared to the silicate rocks that make up the mantle. This density difference creates a gradient of pressure within the Earth, with higher pressures at the core. This pressure gradient is responsible for driving the faster rotation of the core.

How do scientists measure the rotation speed of the core?

Scientists use a variety of methods to measure the rotation speed of the Earth's core. One common method is through the study of Earth's magnetic field. The core's rotation generates a magnetic field, and by tracking changes in this field, scientists can determine the speed of the core's rotation.

Does the core spin at a constant speed?

No, the core's rotation speed is not constant. It is affected by various factors such as the Earth's tides, the movement of the continents, and other geophysical processes. This can cause slight variations in the core's rotation speed over time.

What would happen if the core stopped spinning?

If the Earth's core stopped spinning, the planet's magnetic field would weaken significantly. This would have a major impact on our planet's atmosphere and could potentially leave it vulnerable to harmful solar radiation. It could also affect the Earth's rotation and cause changes in the length of a day and the tilt of its axis.

Could the core's rotation speed ever change drastically?

While the core's rotation speed can vary slightly, it is unlikely to change drastically. The rotation of the Earth's core is a result of its formation and the ongoing convection currents within the planet. These processes are slow-moving and would not cause a sudden change in the core's rotation speed.

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