Question

Which of the following best describes why the smaller terrestrial worlds have cooler interiors than the larger ones?

a) They were cooler when they formed.
b) The smaller ones are farther from the Sun, beyond the frost line.
c) They have relatively fewer radioactive elements.
d) They lost heat faster because they have larger surface area to volume ratios.
e) They had more volcanic eruptions in the past, which released their internal heat.

Answer 1

The smaller terrestrial worlds have cooler interiors mainly because they have larger surface area to volume ratios, making them lose heat more rapidly compared to larger planets.

Step-by-step explanation:

The smaller terrestrial worlds have cooler interiors than the larger ones primarily because they lost heat faster due to their larger surface area to volume ratios. This phenomenon is similar to how a smaller baked potato cools faster than a larger one after being removed from the oven. The large surface area relative to volume allows heat to escape more easily. Moreover, smaller terrestrial bodies have less insulative capability against heat loss compared to the larger ones which can retain heat from their formation longer. Additionally, geological activity, such as volcanic eruptions, can also play a role in dissipating internal heat, but the primary reason for the temperature difference is the efficiently of heat loss due to the surface area to volume ratio.