The cores of the terrestrial worlds are made mostly of metal because ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most widely accepted explanation for why the cores of the terrestrial worlds are mostly made of metal is that when the interiors of these planets were molten, heavy metals sank to the center due to their high density, while lighter elements rose to the surface. This process is known as differentiation. It occurred in the early stages of the planets' evolution when the interiors were molten due to heat from collisions and radioactive decay. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

The Cores of the Terrestrial Worlds Are Made Mostly of Metal