Geochemical data

The electromagnetic spectrum

All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light (3 x 108
ms-1) and are discussed in terms of wavelength and frequency
 Spectrometry

Emitted
Output with
radiation Emission
emission peak
Detector

Absorbed
radiation Absorption
Energy Source
Sample Detector
Output with
absorption trough
The K emission spectrum of
copper
X-ray spectrum of an olivine
Composition of Earth shells
Elements wt%
Crust Mantle Core
Continental Oceanic Upper Lower Outer Inner
O 41.2 43.7 44.7 43.7
10--15
Si 28 22 21.1 22.5
Al 14.3 7.5 1.9 1.6
Fe 4.7 8.5 5.6 9.8 80--85 80
Ca 3.9 7.1 1.4 1.7
K 2.3 0.33 0.08 0.11
Na 2.2 1.6 0.15 0.84
Mg 1.9 7.6 24.7 18.8
Ti 0.4 1.1 0.12 0.08
C 0.3
H 0.2
Mn 0.07 0.15 0.07 0.33
Ni 5 20
Cr 0.51
Nucleosynthesis

« Bethe’s cycle »
Elements stability
 Elements abundance
• Lights > Heavies
• Even > Odd
• Abundance peak close to Fe (n=56)
Solar system abundance
Formation of a planetary nebula
-
Planetary nebulas
Temperature gradients in the planetary nebula
Differenciation of planets