Physics of iron at Earth's core conditions

Citation
A. Laio et al., Physics of iron at Earth's core conditions, SCIENCE, 287(5455), 2000, pp. 1027-1030
Citations number
44
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary,Multidisciplinary,Multidisciplinary
Journal title
SCIENCE
ISSN journal
00368075 → ACNP
Volume
287
Issue
5455
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1027 - 1030
Database
ISI
SICI code
0036-8075(20000211)287:5455<1027:POIAEC>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
The bulk properties of iron at the pressure and temperature conditions of E arth's core were determined by a method that combines first-principles and classical molecular dynamic simulations. The theory indicates that (i) the iron melting temperature at inner-core boundary (ICB) pressure (330 gigapas cals) is 5400 (+/-400) kelvin; (ii) Liquid iron at ICE conditions is about 6% denser than Earth's outer core; and (iii) the shear modulus of solid iro n close to its melting tine is 140 gigapascals, consistent with the seismic value for the inner core. These results reconcile melting temperature esti mates based on sound velocity shock wave data with those based on diamond a nvil cell experiments.