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Name: Satoshi
Status: Student
Age: 13
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Why doesn't the iron and nickel in the Earth's core melt? (i mean, iron and nickel will definetly melt when heated at that kind of temperature in the core, but why do scientists conclude that the core is solid???)


Replies:
Satoshi -

The melting point of a substance is a function of both temperature and pressure. The temperature of the core is high enough to melt nickel and iron on the surface of the earth where the pressure is relatively low. On the other hand, the pressure at the core of the earth is greater and therefore the melting point is also greater... so great that it remains a solid.

Larry Krengel


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