What explains the structural differentiation (core, mantle, crust) observed in terrestrial planets like Earth?
Answer
Intense heating and subsequent differentiation based on material density during amalgamation
The terrestrial planets formed in the hot, inner regions of the solar system, accumulating solids composed mostly of rock and metal. The intense and energetic amalgamation process involving repeated, massive collisions between large protoplanets generated significant internal heat. This heating caused the materials within the forming bodies to undergo differentiation, meaning denser materials sank to form the core, while lighter materials rose to form the mantle and crust. This process solidified the internal structure observed in rocky worlds today.
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