Modeling Chondrule Formation

Mathematics

Scientific paper

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Chondrules, Formation, Modeling

Scientific paper

Over the last several decades considerable data on chondrule sizes, compositions, and textures has been collected [1]; experimental studies have greatly improved our understanding of the conditions required to produce chondrule compositions and textures [2]; and models of energetic nebular processes have provided insight into mechanisms by which chondrules may have formed [3]. While much work remains in each of these areas, the information presently available is sufficient to allow the construction of simple numerical models of chondrule formation. We have constructed a computer algorithm to investigate the consequences of forming chondrules under a variety of conditions. Variables that are considered include: 1) the mechanism of heating (e.g., EM radiation, aerodynamic drag, collisions with energetic particles), 2) peak chondrule temperature, 3) heat-source geometry, 4) pre-chondrule dust aggregate size distributions, 5) dust aggregate compositional distributions, 6) chondrule solidus and liquidus temperatures, 7) kinetic barriers to melting, and 8) the duration of heating. Output includes the size distributions and relative abundances of PO, PP, POP, BO, and NP chondrules. Given the uncertainties in the input variables, the primary purpose of the code is not to construct a single (and necessarily somewhat arbitrary) model of chondrule formation, but rather to elucidate the differences in chondrule properties associated with various sets of formation conditions. Results from a number of simulations using a variety of input parameters illustrate the importance of both composition and peak temperature on the proportion of porphyritic to non-porphyritic chondrules produced. Also apparent is the influence of the mechanism of heating on the relative size distributions of chondrule textural types. Results indicate that specific heating mechanisms require unique sets of associated conditions to account for the observed properties of chondrules. These unique sets of conditions not only limit the range of plausible scenarios for chondrule formation, but provide a means of predicting as yet unmeasured chondrule properties. References: [1] Grossman J. N. et al. (1988) in Meteorites and the Early Solar System (J. F. Kerridge and M. S. Mathews, eds.), pp. 619-659, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson. [2] Hewins R. H. (1988) in Meteorites and the Early Solar System (J. F. Kerridge and M. S. Mathews, eds.), pp. 660-679, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson. [3] Hood L. L. and Kring D. A. (1995) in Chondrules and the Protoplanetary Disk (R. Hewins et al., eds.), Cambridge Univ., New York, in press.

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