alleryStart learning →Mercury's high density points to a core that holds what share of the planet's mass?
AAbout 60 percent
BAbout 20 percent
CAbout 35 percent
DAbout 85 percent
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. About 60 percent
1. Mercury's density is 5.4 grams per cubic centimeter, high for so small a world.
2. Only a large metal core can explain that value.
3. Models give an iron and nickel core holding about 60 percent of the total mass.
4. The remaining rock forms a crust and mantle only about 700 kilometers thick.
_Source: OpenStax Astronomy (CC BY 4.0), section 9.5 Mercury_
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