What physical process in Mercury is attributed to its ability to generate a global magnetic field?
Answer
The churning of a liquid iron outer core
Mercury, despite its diminutive size relative to planets like Earth, generates a global magnetic field. This phenomenon is widely attributed to the internal dynamics of its massive core. Specifically, the mechanism involves the churning or convection currents within the liquid iron outer core layer. This movement of electrically conductive material generates the dynamo effect, which sustains the magnetic field. This ability to maintain such a field is unexpected for a body so small, highlighting the significant scale and activity level of its dense metallic interior.
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