Question

Earth's inner core is hotter than the outer core. Why is it solid while the outer core is liquid? Select an answer and submit. Forkeyboard navigation, use the up/down arrow keys to select an answer (a)The higher pressure keeps it solid. (b) It is made of a denser element with a higher melting point (c) It is actually cooler than the outer core (d) It is made of a rare material that solidifies when heated rather than melt (e) The inner core is still a liquid, but it flows slow enough to be considered a solid

Answer 1

The Earth's inner core is solid even though it's hotter than the outer core due to the immense pressure it's subjected to. This pressure is so high that it overrides the high temperatures and keeps the inner core in a solid state, while the outer core, experiencing lesser pressure, remains liquid.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Earth's inner core is indeed hotter than the outer core, yet remains in a solid state due to the immense pressure exerted on it. This pressure is so great that it keeps the core in a solid state despite the high temperatures. Even though the outer core is slightly cooler, it experiences less pressure and thus remains in a liquid state. The reason for the difference in states isn't due to differences in composition, as both the inner and outer core are primarily composed of iron and nickel. Hence the best answer to the question, 'Earth's inner core is hotter than the outer core. Why is it solid while the outer core is liquid?' is (a) The higher pressure keeps it solid.

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