Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: neilep on 09/11/2007 23:38:06

Title: Iridium !!...what's it all about ?
Post by: neilep on 09/11/2007 23:38:06

Dear Elemental Experts,

What is Iridium ?....and why is more commonly found in Meteorites than it is on Earth ?

Thank you

neil
xx

Title: Iridium !!...what's it all about ?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 10/11/2007 07:59:46

because iridium is a metal it is dense and tends to sink to the core of a molten planet as it is forming.  Some meteorites are largely metal because the formed when a differentiated planet  (one that had got big enough to melt as it formed and develop an iron core) was broken into pieces by a major collision.