In the 19th century the famous physicist Lord Kelvin estimated the age of Earth to be much much less than its present estimate.What information did Kelvin not have to account for his error?
A)Lord Kelvin knew only classical physics and had no knowledge of anthropological dating.
B)Lord Kelvin had no knowledge of radio waves for measuring distance and age of planets since they have not yet been introduced into science.
C)Lord Kelvin was not aware of radioactive decay,a source of energy to keep Earth warm for billions of years.
D)Lord Kelvin never gave any estimate of the age of Earth.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lord Kelvin did not have knowledge of radioactive decay, which is a source of energy that keeps Earth warm for billions of years. This lack of knowledge led Kelvin to underestimate the age of Earth in the 19th century.

In the 19th Century the Famous Physicist Lord Kelvin Estimated