Asked by Lorena Curiel on Apr 23, 2024
Verified
Which of the following processes has added heat to Earth's interior during or after its formation?
A) collision of asteroids and meteoroids with Earth
B) formation and sinking of masses of iron and nickel
C) radioactive decay
D) all of these
Radioactive Decay
The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.
Collision of Asteroids
An event where two or more asteroids in space come into contact with each other, often resulting in fragmentation or amalgamation.
- Identify processes that contribute to the Earth's internal heat, including radioactive decay and collision events.
Verified Answer
BO
Bianca Ordonez8 days ago
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
All of these processes have contributed to adding heat to Earth's interior. Collisions of asteroids and meteoroids provided kinetic energy that was converted into heat upon impact. The formation and sinking of iron and nickel masses into the core released gravitational potential energy as heat. Radioactive decay of elements within the Earth generates heat over time.
Learning Objectives
- Identify processes that contribute to the Earth's internal heat, including radioactive decay and collision events.