Artist's conception of "Super-Earth" exoplanet Kepler-22b, which is about 2.4 times larger than Earth. Credit: NASA
Posted on 02/15/2012 6:52:35 PM PST by SunkenCiv
As we learned in science class in school, the Earth has a molten interior (the outer core) deep beneath its mantle and crust. The temperatures and pressures are increasingly extreme, the farther down you go. The liquid magmas can "melt" into different types, a process referred to as pressure-induced liquid-liquid phase separation. Graphite can turn into diamond under similar extreme pressures. Now, new research is showing that a similar process could take place inside "Super-Earth" exoplanets, rocky worlds larger than Earth, where a molten magnesium silicate interior would likely be transformed into a denser state as well.
Simply put, the magnesium silicate undergoes what's called a phase change while in the liquid state. The scientists were able to replicate the extreme temperatures and pressures that would be found inside those exoplanets by using the Janus laser at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and OMEGA at the University of Rochester. A powerful laser pulse generated a shock wave as it passed through the samples. Changes in the velocity of the shock and the temperature of the sample indicated when a phase change was detected.
Interestingly, the different liquid states of the silicate magma in the experiments showed different physical properties under high pressures and temperatures, even though they were still of the same composition. Due to varying densities, the different liquid states tended to want to separate, much like oil and water.
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...
Artist's conception of "Super-Earth" exoplanet Kepler-22b, which is about 2.4 times larger than Earth. Credit: NASA
 |
||
| · join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic · subscribe · | ||
| Google news searches: exoplanet · exosolar · extrasolar · | ||
Things like molten hydrogen and superheated water ice.
If we ever become space-faring, it will be interesting as to what uses we find for these silicate worlds.
They exist for a reason and not just because they exist.
It’s like a million degrees right below the surface.
I wonder what the practical use would ever be for discoverng states of matter under conditions so extreme that we could never have access to them. What I find incredible is that planets such as Uranus and Neptune are thought to have oceans of liquid diamond at some point in their interiors, where carbon settles. “Icebergs” of solidified diamond will float one the surface of these, where the temperature is slightly lower, but the pressure is still high enough to keep them from turning to graphite. All forever beyond our reach.
That is a heck for a windage hold for a lazer shot. 1200 years between shots.
*Left 3.5 light years, hold right 7 light years. Did you bring any more beer while we're waiting?
Did you remember to correct for solar windage?
That’s the point of pure research — without it, there are never any practical uses, because there are no discoveries.
Jupiter and Saturn full of liquid metal helium
UC Berkeley | Aug 6, 2008 | Rachel Tompa
Posted on 08/06/2008 3:51:07 PM PDT by decimon
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2057677/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
