Question

Modeling the Rock Cycle
Students studying the rock cycle made the partial model shown below.

Arrows labeled 1 to 5 are shown in a clockwise direction. Arrow 1 points from a volcano to igneous rock. Arrow 2 points from igneous rock to smaller rock pieces. Arrow 3 points from the smaller rock pieces to sedimentary rock. Arrow 4 points from sedimentary rock to metamorphic rock. Arrow 5 points from metamorphic rock to the volcano.

Energy is a necessary resource that drives the processes occurring in the rock cycle model shown. Select the type of energy that is MOST important for these rock cycle processes to occur. Then, select the two sources of this type of energy.

Answer 1

Type of energy: Thermal (heat) energy.

Two sources of that energy:
- Heat from Earth’s interior (geothermal heat from radioactive decay and residual heat) — drives melting, magma formation, metamorphism, and volcanism.
- Heat from the Sun — powers the atmosphere and hydrologic cycle (wind, rainfall, rivers, glaciers) that causes weathering, erosion, transport and deposition of sediments.