Much of the heat that drives convection in the mantle a. Is generated by friction between the core and mantle as Earth rotates b. Is transferred to the mantle from the white hot core by conduction c. Remains from the original formation of Earth from the sun d. Is produced by radioactive decay or uranium and thorium Solution Answer: (d) Mantle convection is the slow creeping motion of Earth\'s solid silicate mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior of the Earth to the surface. Much of the heat that drives convection in the mantle is due to radiogenic heat from the fission of the radioisotopes uranium, thorium, and especially potassium found naturally in the earth\'s core and mantle..