Planetary Interiors: General Principles
Differentiation
- Differentiation: An initially homogeneous material can
separate into regions with different chemical compositions and physical states.
- The Solar System is an
example of differentiation. The solar nebula was initially a well-mixed gas, and
eventually separated and evolved into a star and planets, with planets at different radii
from the Sun having different overall chemical properties.
- The interiors of planets
also undergo differentiation, since heavier molten materials sink toward the center of
planets.
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