Ab Initio Simulations of liquid Iron at the conditions of Mercury's interior
Abstract
Understanding the equation of state of liquid iron is crucial to determining the internal structure and dynamics of the planet Mercury and is also important for the modelling of other terrestrial planetary interiors. Using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations we have studied the equation of state and thermodynamic properties of liquid iron at the conditions of Mercury's interior (up to 40 GPa and 4000 K). In particular, we have investigated the effects of magnetism on the simulations, since at the conditions of the core of Mercury, changes in the magnetic moments of the atoms might be expected to affect the physical properties of iron, such as its equation of state.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.P13A1739E
- Keywords:
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- 3919 MINERAL PHYSICS Equations of state;
- 6235 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS Mercury;
- 5430 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS Interiors