How is the core of the Earth kept hot?

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The Earth's core is primarily heated by radioactive decay occurring in the crust and mantle, which contributes significantly to maintaining core temperatures. While the core itself does not generate heat from radioactivity, the decay processes in the surrounding layers are crucial. Approximately 90% of the Earth's internal heat comes from radioactive decay, with 5 to 10% attributed to friction from gravitational forces and another 5 to 10% from residual heat from the planet's formation. Additionally, a small amount of heat is released when molten materials solidify. Tidal forces from the Moon and Sun are considered part of the gravitational friction that contributes to this heat.
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I know that the mantel of the Earth is kept hot by radioactivity, but is this also true for the core?
 
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Yes.

Addendum. Most of the radioactivity is in the crust and the mantle; but this is still generating heat which contributes to keeping the core hot. For lots more detail see Probing Question: What heats the Earth's core? at physorg.com

So the core is not being kept hot by radioactivity in the core; the energy from decay in the mantle and crust is more important. I had to look this up also.
 
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Thanks sylas.
 
does the Earth gain significant heat from the moon and the suns tidal pull?
 
The link that sylas provided list 4 sources of heat within the earth.

Up to 90% of the heat is from radioactive decay.
About 5 to 10% is from friction caused by gravity.
About 5 to 10% is residual left over from the original formation of earth.
A small amount is latent heat released when molten materials turn into solids.

As I understand it, tidal push and pulls are part of the 5 to 10% gravity friction portion.
 

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