Like Jupiter and Saturn,Neptune emits about 2.5 times as much heat energy as it receives from the Sun,although calculations show it should have already lost all of its original heat.What is the most likely explanation?
A)Unlike Uranus,it is still contracting.
B)Radioactive decay has kicked into overdrive,with runaway reactions taking place.
C)The basis for these calculations is currently being questioned by a new generation of scientists.
D)There are gravitational anomalies taking place,which may hold some clue as to where the heat may be coming from.
E)Uranus' gravity is creating a "slingshot" effect,catapulting solar winds into Neptune's atmosphere in the form of as of yet undetected radiation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that Neptune is still emitting a significant amount of heat energy suggests that it is still contracting. When a planet contracts, its interior heats up due to gravitational forces and this heat can be emitted as radiation.

Like Jupiter and Saturn,Neptune Emits About 2