Question

Identify the best explanation for the important role of the liquid outer core, and not the solid mantle, in forming Earth’s magnetic field.

A The mantle moves very slowly compared to the outer core.
B The outer core moves more quickly than the mantle and has a higher metal content.
C The outer core is mostly iron and nickel and the mantle is mostly silicon and oxygen.
D The outer core is closer to the center of the planet than the mantle. Identify the best explanation for the important role of the liquid outer core, and not the solid mantle, in forming Earth’s magnetic field.

Answer 1

The liquid outer core is crucial for Earth's magnetic field formation due to its composition of iron and nickel, which, unlike the mantle's silicon and oxygen, can generate a magnetic field through movement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best explanation for the important role of the liquid outer core, and not the solid mantle, in forming Earth’s magnetic field is C: The outer core is mostly iron and nickel and the mantle is mostly silicon and oxygen. This is because the liquid metal in the outer core generates Earth's magnetic field through its movement, which sets up circulating electric currents capable of producing a magnetic field. Alternatively, mantle rock, composed primarily of silicon and oxygen, can only deform and flow very slowly and is not metallic, thus it cannot generate a magnetic field.