Question

Explain briefly where geothermal energy comes from.

a. It comes from the sun's radiation absorbed by the Earth's surface.
b. It is generated by nuclear reactions in the Earth's core.
c. It is harnessed from heat within the Earth's crust.
d. It is a byproduct of volcanic activity.

Answer 1

Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth's internal heat, partially remaining since the planet's formation and also from radioactive decay of elements within the crust.

Step-by-step explanation:

Geothermal energy comes from the heat within the Earth's crust. This heat originates from two main sources.

The intense heat from the Earth's molten iron core that has been present since the planet's formation, and the continuous heat generated by the radioactive decay of elements such as uranium, thorium, and potassium in the crust.

Geothermal energy can be harnessed directly as heat or can be used to produce electricity by using steam from hot water reservoirs below the Earth's surface to turn turbines.