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Science 17 February 2006:
Vol. 311. no. 5763, p. 913
DOI: 10.1126/science.311.5763.913e
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Figure 1 In smaller terrestrial planets having an iron core, the main silicate mineral at depth is thought to be composed of MgSiO3, but its stability at higher pressures cannot yet be determined experimentally. Umemoto et al. (p. 983) used numerical calculations to infer its stability at extreme conditions that may be obtained in the giant outer planets or in newly found, large Earth-like planets in other solar systems. The results imply that MgSiO3 will dissociate to MgO and SiO2. The compression of electronic orbitals at high pressure will lead to more metal-like behavior of these compounds, which would affect their thermal properties and planetary heat flow.

CREDIT: UMEMOTO ET AL.




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