Chemical composition of solar system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the chemical composition of the solar system and the differences in elemental abundance among various celestial bodies. Participants explore theories related to the formation of the solar system, including the origins of heavy elements and the processes involved in planet formation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that differences in elemental abundance could be due to the rotation of the original dust cloud, although they express doubt about this explanation due to gravitational constraints.
  • Another participant proposes that the original dust cloud may have interacted with different materials, leading to variations in composition.
  • Some participants mention the importance of concepts such as the frost line, planet migration, and the distinction between terrestrial and jovian planets in understanding solar system formation.
  • Concerns are raised about the consistency of information found online regarding the composition of Earth and Mars, particularly regarding the Fe/Si ratio and the C1 model.
  • A question is posed about the mechanism by which the young Sun might have ejected heavy elements, with one participant asserting that heavy metals were present in the protostellar dust cloud from earlier stellar processes.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on the mechanism of heavy element ejection, indicating a desire for further reading on stellar formation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms behind the elemental composition of solar system bodies, with no consensus reached on the explanations for the observed differences. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific processes involved in the formation and distribution of elements.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the topic, highlighting that many theories exist and that information can be inconsistent. There are unresolved questions about the mechanisms of heavy element ejection and the implications of various models of planet formation.

S.Vasojevic
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If our solar system originated from the same dust / gas cloud, why do we see such differences in abundance of elements from one body to another. I can come up with two possible answers:

1. Rotation of cloud centrifuged heavier elements towards edge (Almost certainly not true, because it would need to overcome gravity, and composition of solar system bodies does not follow that pattern)

2. At some point in solar system formation original dust cloud, which presumably consisted of mainly light elements, interacted with another material, probably much smaller in quantity, and different in origin.

I am only guessing, so any help on this is welcome.
 
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Why guess when you can easily find the answers on the 'net?

Google (or pick your favorite search engine) the following terms:
planet formation
frost line planet formation
planet migration
 
Also:

Solar wind
terrestrial planets versus jovian planets
rocky planets versus gaesous planets
 
Yes, that's nice, but if you start to google things, you get bunch of information, not necessary consistent with each other, although they are all from trustworthy sources.
One of them being that Earth's and Mars's composition is different, especially Fe/Si ratio, and that C1 model does not hold on Mars. Other thing is water splashing formed Earth from outer solar system. I see that I oversimplified things, but it seems that this issue is far from resolved.
 
Last edited:
What is the mechanism that made young Sun eject heavy elements?
 
S.Vasojevic said:
What is the mechanism that made young Sun eject heavy elements?

It didn't. The heavy metals were in the protostellar dust cloud when the sun formed. They were formed during the nova deaths of older stars.
 
No, not asking when they were synthesized. Some article I stumbled upon, claims that young Sun ejected what was already in there of heavier elements, not describing mechanism, but I can't see how.
So what would be a book to read on stellar formation?
 

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