CHONDRITE Meaning and
Definition
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A chondrite is a type of meteorite that predominantly consists of various types of chondrules, which are small rounded particles. It is a stony meteorite, meaning it is composed primarily of silicate minerals like olivine and pyroxene, along with other elements like iron-nickel alloys and metal sulfides. Chondrites are one of the most common types of meteorites and are an important source of information about the early Solar System.
Chondrites are believed to have formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago and have undergone minimal changes since their formation, making them valuable in understanding the processes that occurred during the formation of the Solar System. They are thought to originate from the asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter, where they originate from parent bodies known as planetesimals.
These meteorites are classified into various groups based on their chemical composition and isotopic ratios. Some of the most well-known chondrite groups include the ordinary chondrites (H, L, and LL), carbonaceous chondrites (CI, CM, and CR), and enstatite chondrites (EH and EL). Each group has distinct characteristics, such as the presence of different minerals and the abundance of volatile elements, which provide insights into the conditions and processes that occurred during their formation.
Studying chondrites allows scientists to gain a better understanding of the early history of our Solar System, including the formation and differentiation of planets, as well as the delivery of important elements and compounds necessary for the development of life.
Common Misspellings for CHONDRITE
- xhondrite
- vhondrite
- fhondrite
- dhondrite
- cgondrite
- cbondrite
- cnondrite
- cjondrite
- cuondrite
- cyondrite
- chindrite
- chkndrite
- chlndrite
- chpndrite
- ch0ndrite
- ch9ndrite
- chobdrite
- chomdrite
- chojdrite
Etymology of CHONDRITE
The word "chondrite" is derived from the Greek words "chondros" (meaning "grain") and "lithos" (meaning "stone"). It was coined by the French mineralogist Alexandre Brongniart in 1823 to describe a particular type of stony meteorite that contains small spherical grains or nodules (chondrules) embedded in a rocky matrix. These chondrules are thought to have formed early in the solar system's history and are an important characteristic of chondrite meteorites.
Similar spelling words for CHONDRITE
- chondrin,
- chanter,
- chondritic,
- chantry,
- chondrule,
- chondrus,
- condrey,
- chondroma,
- Chandra,
- chondriosome,
- chondrify.
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