3500 km
Explanation
The interior of the Earth is divided into three concentric layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core. The core is the innermost layer, separated from the mantle by the Gutenberg Discontinuity.
Detailed Analysis
To determine the radius of the core, one must consider the depth boundaries of the Earth's layers:
- The core-mantle boundary is located at a depth of approximately 2,900 km from the surface.
- The center of the Earth is located at a depth of approximately 6,370 km (which represents the Earth's total radius).
- The radius of the core is the distance from the core-mantle boundary to the center of the Earth.
Calculation:
Radius of Core = (Radius of Earth) - (Depth of Mantle-Core Boundary)
Radius of Core ≈ 6,370 km - 2,900 km = 3,470 km
Thus, the approximate radius of the core is 3,500 km.
Key Takeaway: The Earth's core has a radius of approximately 3,500 km and is composed primarily of heavy materials such as Nickel and Iron (NIFE).