The source which continues to contribute to Earth's internal heat.
Answer to Problem 1QQ
Option (b). Radioactive decay
Explanation of Solution
Accretion on Earth occurs in the early stages. Planetesimal bombardment is deposited due to gravity toward the core of the Earth. Gravity has a major role in accretion where gravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy. Accretion cannot be the continuous heat source of internal energy.
Thus, option (a) is incorrect.
The sunlight falls on the Earth, heats the land, ocean, and atmosphere but does not reach and warms the interior. Heated rocks in the Earth's crust act as an insulator and prevent the heat transfer from outside towards the inner side. Sunlight cannot be the continuous heat source of internal energy.
Thus, option (c) is incorrect.
Radioactive decay in Earth's mantle convert parent element decay into daughter isotopes and release heat. This released heat flows from the interior to the surface of the Earth slowly and continuously through
Thus, option (b) is correct.
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Chapter 5 Solutions
The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals (2nd Edition)
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