Tag: Fact or Fiction

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Fact or Fiction: Diamonds discovered on Mercury

Diamond planet

Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system and nearest to the sun, conceals an intriguing secret: a diamond mantle approximately 10 miles thick under its surface. This revelation comes from data provided by NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft.

Diamond mantle

Recent studies indicate that Mercury’s mantle is composed not of graphene, as was previously believed, but of diamond. The extreme pressure at the boundary between the mantle and core is thought to have facilitated the formation of diamond.

Graphite patches

Mercury’s surface is peppered with dark-coloured graphite patches, a form of carbon that has intrigued scientists for many years.

Carbon-rich magma

Researchers believe that in Mercury’s early history, it had a carbon-rich magma ocean. As the ocean of magma rose to the surface, it formed the graphite patches that are visible today.

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A billion is a big number – but just how big is it?

A billion

1000,000,000 (1 billion)

or

109 10 to the power of 9 (1 billion)

In the short scale system, which is commonly used in the UK, United States and most English-speaking countries, 1 billion is written as 1,000,000,000 or 109. This means that 1 billion is equal to 1 thousand million.

In the long scale system, which is commonly used in continental Europe and some other parts of the world, 1 billion is written as 1,000,000,000,000 or 1012. This means that 1 billion is equal to 1 million million.

Fun facts

If you tried to count to 1 million at an approximate rate of 1 number per second, it would take around 11 days. And that would be without sleeping or taking a rest in between the marathon quest. But if you were to count to 1 billion it would take you… wait for it… a cool 32 years!

But just imagine this, if you attempted to count to 1 trillion (1000,000,000,000) or 1012 at the same rate of 1 number per second and without sleep, rest or mistakes – it would take you about… 31,710 years! Give or take a year.

A little bit more

A million and 1 billion sound like BIG numbers, they are. But just how big…

Imagine this: 1 million seconds is roughly equal to 1 week. But, 1 billion seconds equates to about 33 years!

1 billion is a BIG number!