What does a comparison of meteorite abundances of metals with samples of Earth's mantle help geochemists understand?
A) the formation of crust through volcanic action
B) the differentiation of Earth as it occurred after it formed
C) the accretion of Earth from planetesimals
D) the elements that have escaped Earth's gravity during its formation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Comparing meteorite abundances of metals with samples of Earth's mantle helps geochemists understand the differentiation of Earth as it occurred after it formed. This is because the early Earth was molten and differentiated into a core, mantle, and crust, with the metals sinking to form the core and the lighter elements and minerals rising to form the crust and mantle. Meteorites are believed to come from the same region as the early Earth, so studying their metal abundances can give insight into the composition of early Earth and the process of differentiation.

What Does a Comparison of Meteorite Abundances of Metals with Samples