Answer :

Final answer:

Heat is released as a by-product of ongoing radioactive decay, contributing significantly to Earth's internal heat budget.


Explanation:

Heat is released as a by-product of ongoing radioactive decay. As radioactive nuclei decay, they release energy in the form of heat, which contributes to Earth's internal heat budget. The decay of radioactive isotopes such as 235U, 238U, 40K, and 232Th within the Earth's interior generates heat over billions of years.


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