Why is it that "metal" has been found in some meteorite samples ?

Question

I find it very strange how a maufactured product such as "metal" can be found in some meteorite samples, especially when you consider the strict processes involved to make metal in the first place. If anyone can explain to me how these metals happen to be in meteorites, I would appreciate your answer !

Answer 1

it only means that metal is a possible common element of the whole universe which can lead to my conclusion that we are not alone in this vast universe since metal might be in use by other "beings"

Answer 2

Not all metals are manufactured artificially. A vast range of metals occur NATURALLY, including mercury, cadmium, lead, iron, pyrite, silicon, etc.,. Since meteorites were formed in space from the same materials making up Earth, including metals, there's no reason not to expect to find some meteorites with an abundance of metal in them.

Answer 3

In general we do not manufacture metals here on earth. There are exceptions like americium which is manufactured by the bombarding of plutonium with protons. But in general, we refine metals that are mined from the earth.

The term "metals" is a label that we have given to some elements present in the universe. Would you feel better if the pros reported the composition of meteorites as elements rather them metallic?

Answer 4

Huh? We don't manufacture metallic elements, we mine them. The manufacturing processes consist of refining the metals, combining them to form alloys, and maybe heat-treatment. The metals found in meteorites are formed the same way as the ones we mine on Earth - by fusion processes in the cores of stars.

The most common metallic elements in meteorites are iron and nickel. Iron is the end product of the normal fusion process in massive stars. Some of it is converted into nickel when the star goes supernova. The result is blasted into space, coalesces into lumps, and eventually forms planets, asteroids, and smaller bits of space debris.

Answer 5

I think you need to change that light bulb. YOU contain metal.Metals are formed naturally all over the universe. There is no 'strict process' to 'make' metal, it just happens. A little heat, a little pressure, and you have metal.

When they say that a meteorite contains metal, they are not talking about aircraft aluminum or surgical steel.

Answer 6

meteorites may contain metal if they were blasted off a planet from a large impact or a collision and the heat melted the oxides into liquid metals, which then solidified. meteorites often are made up of many smaller ones that formed into a larger one from gravity, so they are a jumble of different kinds of rock, ice, metal.

Answer 7

Iron and nickel especially are very common in the universe and is thought to be the core of our earth. Meteorites are generally from the asteroid belt. (probably a planet that didn't form or was destroyed by impact while it was being formed) You would find Iron and nickel in many of these asteroids. In fact. they tried to mine nickel at the meteor impact site in arizona.

Answer 8

Metal is natural. It is not man-made. It is made during extreme fusion reactions during supernovas. That material, once blasted into interstellar space, can be accreted into asteroids, comets, planets, etc.

Answer 9

metal is from and is an ore that is found throughout the universe. Maybe tha spacemen are sending us there candy and we are to stoopid with our wars and ilegal immigrants to understand it.