Question

The major processes that heat the interiors of the terrestrial worlds are:

A) (1) Heat deposited as the planets were built from planetesimals; (2) heat of accretion; (3) heat that came from the gravitational potential energy of incoming planetesimals.

B) (1) Heat of accretion; (2) heat from convection; (3) heat from thermal radiation.

C)(1) Heat deposited as the planets were built from planetesimals; (2) heat deposited as the planets underwent differentiation; (3) heat released by radioactive decay.

D)(1) Volcanism; (2) tectonics; (3) erosion.

Answer 1

B) (1) Heat of accretion; (2) heat from convection; (3) heat from thermal radiation.

Step-by-step explanation:

• Accretion is a process of the planet being formed by bits of rock and iron that are clumped together. Hence larger the planet larger the heating.

• The heat from the convection currents in the atmospheric circulation and the heat derived from the thermal radiation of the earth.

• This depends on the shape, size and nature of the surface of the earth. All this balances the heat flow within the terrestrial earth.