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We have an iron/nickle core, yet the heaviest elements like gold, lead, uranium, platinum, etc. are in our crust. Should these elements be at or near our core?
We have an iron/nickle core, yet the heaviest elements like gold, lead, uranium, platinum, etc. are in our crust. Should these elements be at or near our core?
Yes, the heaviest elements like gold, lead, uranium, and platinum are typically found in the Earth's outer layers, known as the crust. These elements are not naturally found in the core, which is composed primarily of iron and nickel. The core is divided into two sections: the inner core and the outRead more
Yes, the heaviest elements like gold, lead, uranium, and platinum are typically found in the Earth’s outer layers, known as the crust. These elements are not naturally found in the core, which is composed primarily of iron and nickel.
The core is divided into two sections: the inner core and the outer core. The inner core is composed mainly of iron and nickel, with some trace amounts of other elements like osmium and iridium. The outer core, on the other hand, is composed of a mixture of iron, nickel, and other lighter elements such as silicon and oxygen.
The heavier elements like gold, lead, uranium, and platinum are found in the Earth’s crust because they are less dense and more buoyant. As a result, they tend to float towards the outer layers of the Earth during its formation and differentiation processes.
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