Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 1983
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1983georl..10..925c&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters (ISSN 0094-8276), vol. 10, Oct. 1983, p. 925-928.
Physics
3
Accretion Disks, Earth Mantle, Geotemperature, Planetary Evolution, Protoplanets, Viscosity, Convective Heat Transfer, Iron, Lithosphere, Planetary Composition, Terrestrial Planets
Scientific paper
The minimum mantle viscosity in an earth accreting from planetesimals is estimated. A plausible distribution of planetesimal sizes deposits enough energy to melt the outer nine-tenths of earth's mass; however, vigorous convection keeps temperatures near the solidus. Viscosity is significantly lower than prevails now. The temperature-dependent viscosity provides self-regulation so there is a continuing balance between accretional energy input and heat transfer out. This allows calculation of the minimum viscosity necessary to transfer out heat by a Nu/Ra-number relation. Typical viscosities are 0.1 to a million sq m/sec, lowest at mid-accretion when the mass growth rate is largest. Terrestrial planets are compared, and minimum iron descent times to central lithospheres are calculated.
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