Volcano Probe - Pressure and Temperature - Essay Example

Running head: A volcano can be said to be a geological landform where magma or molten lock in the earth's interior erupts through the surface of the earth. Melting of this lock is usually because of high temperature and pressure found in the outer core of the earth. Designing of a volcano probe therefore would require one to have a clear understanding of the earth interior starting from the crust, the outer mantle, the inner mantle all the way to the inner core. As one moves from the earth crust to the next level, the pressure and temperature increases. Temperature and pressure increases as one moves deeper into the earth's interior and it is as a result of this pressure and temperature increases that the lock surrounding the inner core of the earth is melted to form magma that then erupts on the earth surface inform of lava. Pressure and temperature changes in a volcano leads to its structure and its overall behavior in regard to the period of formation to the eruption period. It is pressure and temperature that explains how a volcano is formed and how it erupts on to the earth surface in the long run (Beatty, 1998, p. 67). In general volcanoes normally occur in areas where tectonic plates diverge or converge or where the earth crust stretch or thin as in the case of African Rift Valley. Similarly, volcanoes can arise as a result of mantle plumes or hotspots which may occur far from the platonic plate's boundaries. Where volcanoes occur due to divergence of platonic plates, new oceanic crust is formed by hot molten lock or the magma which slowly cool and solidify. In essence, the crust is very thin at these ridges as a result of tectonic plates pull. Pressure resulting from the crust thinning gives rise to adiabatic expansion with a new oceanic crust forming as a result of partial melting of the mantle. In regard to converging platonic plates, the collision of a continental plate and an oceanic plate results into a subduction zone which by extension results into the submersion of the oceanic plate under the continental plate. The subducting layer releases water which lowers the temperature of the mantle wedge above the result of which is magma creation. On the other hand, hotspots which are commonly located above mantle plumes where there is convection of the mantle of the earth results into a column of hot material that rises up to the earth crust. Plume temperature causes the crust to melt forming pipes useful in venting magma (Beatty, 1998, p. 98). Following the above discussion, designing a volcano probe would require one to properly analyse the factors and forces behind volcano formation. In essence, one would be required to put into consideration the thermal forces involved and it is at this point that knowledge of thermal physics becomes essential. In this case, one would be required to design a temperature and pressure measuring system that is compatible with changes in the two parameters and which can withstand huge changes for that matter. As such, one would be required to consider the materials with which the pressure and temperature measuring system is built from as some materials may not be able to withstand huge changes in these two parameters. For example, metals are known to melt under different temperatures with some melting at lower temperatures than the others. Still, some of these metals when exposed to high pressures react or behave differently from the others (A.I.P. 2000, p. 56). Any component designed to study the behavior of a volcano will have to put into consideration all the thermal physics aspects of pressure and temperature among other things. Such things include the permissible pressure range of the pressure sensor and the temperature range of the temperature sensor to be used in the measuring instrument. Equally important is the pressure and temperature range of the outer structure inhibiting the sensors. Moreover, the data collected by these sensors will need to be transmitted to a receiver through a transmitter. The composition of this transmitter must also agree with the pressure and temperature needs of the measuring system. In all the above discussion, the strength of the metal used in designing the required measurement components and their shell must be put into consideration as pressure and temperature changes in the volcano may destroy the whole or part of the measurement system leading to unreliable or incomplete results. Following this argument, modeling elastic behavior in alloys and metals accurately is fundamental and significant in describing their mechanical properties especially in regard to their strength and plasticity. For example, the single crystal shear model of bcc transition metals and their temperature and pressure dependency is important in underpinning any efforts to develop any predictive simulations involving multiscale modeling of their plastic deformation. In the same manner, empirical constitutive models including the Steinberg Guinan strength model are useful in scaling the yield strength of polycrystalline materials at certain high temperatures and pressures. In this regard, the transmitting gadget used together with the temperature and pressure sensors must be up to the required thermal requirements for optimal performance (A.I.P. 2000, p. 58). One should also be able to consider the various gases that exist in a volcano and their behavior when subjected to high pressure and temperatures. Such gases include oxygen, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine and other excess gas. The sensitive pressure sensors applied in the measurement system must be capable of recording with a high degree of preciseness the behavior of these gases under high temperatures and pressure. In conclusion, there are many considerations that need to be put in place when designing a volcano probe many of which arises as a result of pressure and temperature issues. As one moves from the earth crust into the interior towards the inner core, the temperature increases and so do the pressure. In this regard, any equipment designed to measure these two parameters must be capable of withstanding huge changes and this is in terms of their strength, their elastic behavior, pressure and temperature dependency and plasticity among other things. Optimal results can only be achieved if all the thermal aspects of the measurement system are up to the required standards. References: American Institute of Physics (A.I.P.) (2000). Physics Abstracts. Michigan, Institution of Electrical Engineers, p. 56, 58 Beatty, J. (1998). The New Solar System. Massachusetts: Sky Publishing, p. 67, 98 Read More