Final answer:
Quartz, being less dense, is most common near Earth's surface, while nickel, which is denser, is more common near Earth's core. The correct choice is Peridotite near the surface and nickel near the core.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which compound, peridotite, quartz, or nickel, is most common near Earth's surface and near Earth's core, given their densities. Based on the provided densities and the composition of the Earth's layers, we can deduce that quartz, with a density of approximately 2.65 g/cm³, is more likely to be found near the Earth's surface since it is less dense than peridotite and nickel. Meanwhile, nickel, with a high density of approximately 8.9 g/cm³, is more common near Earth's core, which is dense and metallic. The correct answer to the question is therefore choice d) Peridotite near the surface and nickel near the core.
Earth's crust is rich in silicate minerals, predominantly composed of silicon and oxygen, with quartz being one of the most common minerals in the crust. The mantle underneath is represented by peridotite, an ultramafic rock that is dense and rich in iron and magnesium, yet this rock is less common at the surface and is typically found deeper within the Earth. Iron, along with nickel, is a major component of Earth's core, consistent with the high densities observed in metallic meteorites, which are thought to represent the core's composition. The core's high density is due to the presence of heavy metals such as nickel and iron under intense pressure.