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Scientists believe that when in the formation, it was hit by a large object after it differentiated and lost most of it's materials from outer layers (crust + mantle); leaving mostly iron. Another possibility is that it at that part of the disk from where it was formed had more iron than other areas.
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Literally talking about this in my class right now (got it word for word from my teacher)
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Does mercury and the moon have a similar sized core?
No. Mercury has a much larger core than the moon does.
What is the makeup of Mercury?
Mercury is made of rock with a solid inner core.
Which terrestrial planet has the largest core relative to its overall size?
Mercury has the largest core relative to its overall size among the terrestrial planets. The core makes up about 85% of Mercury's radius, compared to about 55% for Earth's core size relative to its radius.
How does the size if Mercury's core compare to Earth's core?
Mercury's core is proportionally larger compared to its overall size than Earth's core. Mercury's core makes up about 85% of its total radius, while Earth's core is about 55% of its radius. This makes Mercury's core relatively larger in proportion to its surface.
Does Mercury have a solid iron core?
Yes, Mercury is believed to have a large iron core, which makes up about 60% of its mass. This core is thought to be solid due to the planet's slow rotation and lack of a strong magnetic field, which suggests that the core is not convecting.
