[meteorite-list] Chemistry calculations reveal Earth's inner core

From: Shawn Alan <shawnalan_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 13 May 2014 12:20:38 -0700
Message-ID: <20140513122038.e8713c95af9984a493c5db01816d4c10.4265d4c414.wbe_at_email22.secureserver.net>

Here is something to look at when you think of the inner workings of
Earth :)

Enjoy

Shawn Alan
IMCA 1633
ebay store http://www.ebay.com/sch/imca1633nyc/m.html
Website http://meteoritefalls.com


Chemistry calculations reveal Earth's inner core

Theoretical calculations have confirmed that the Earth's core contains a
significant proportion of oxygen. This has been proposed before, but the
new research confirms it with rigour not previously possible. The
presence of oxygen can be used to constrain models of the Earth's
formation, suggesting the early Earth may have been a hotter, more
oxygen-rich environment than some models predict.

By measuring the Earth's moment of inertia and looking at meteorites
made of material similar to the planet, scientists calculate that the
core is mostly made of an alloy that has 16 times more iron than nickel.
However, seismic waves travel through the core more quickly than they
would through a pure iron?nickel alloy, implying that some lighter
elements are present. Sulfur, silicon, carbon and oxygen have all been
suggested.


source:
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/05/chemistry-calculations-reveal-earth-inner-core-oxygen
Received on Tue 13 May 2014 03:20:38 PM PDT