Final answer:
The outer core of the Earth is in a liquid state, while the inner core is solid due to temperature differences. The radioactivity of primordial elements helps maintain the higher temperature of the outer core.
Step-by-step explanation:
The outer core of the Earth is in a liquid state, while the inner core is solid. The reason for this is primarily due to temperature differences. The outer core is hotter than the inner core, which causes the material to be in a liquid state. The higher temperature in the outer core is maintained by the radioactive decay of primordial elements that were part of the material that formed the Earth.