If molten lava got into space would it cool off or stay hot?
I think it will stay hot because there is no air in space?
Jake
Crossett
Dear Jake,
You are definitely correct - there is a major air shortage in space.
When I asked my colleagues what the temperature in space is they asked me
if it was in the light or dark. They said it was a couple of
hundred degrees in the light. That's cold compared to molten lava, so it
should begin to cool. Since the energy radiated by the molten lava as it
cools is a form of electromagnetic radiation (like light, just a different
wavelength), the energy should be transferred away.
Are you working on a science fair project or something?
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
Sources of information:
Henry and Matt
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