What is notable about Mercury's metallic core in relation to its overall size?
Answer
It retains a disproportionately large metallic core.
Mercury, despite being the smallest planet in the Solar System, exhibits a composition anomaly when compared to the other terrestrial bodies. Its internal structure features a metallic core that is remarkably large relative to the planet's total volume and mass. This extensive iron-nickel center suggests that during its formation, it either lost much of its lighter silicate material or formed under conditions that favored metal accumulation to an extreme degree compared to Earth or Mars. This massive core contributes significantly to Mercury's overall density.
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