* Iron (Fe): This makes up about 88% of the inner core.
* Nickel (Ni): This accounts for about 5.5% of the inner core.
* Other elements: While iron and nickel are the main components, a small percentage of other elements are also present, including:
* Silicon (Si)
* Sulfur (S)
* Oxygen (O)
* Calcium (Ca)
* Aluminum (Al)
The exact composition and proportions of these elements are still being researched, but scientists generally agree that the inner core is primarily an iron-nickel alloy.
It's important to remember that the immense pressure within the Earth's inner core causes the iron and nickel to behave differently than they would at the surface. The pressure is so great that it forces the atoms to be packed tightly together, essentially making the inner core a solid ball of metal, even though the temperature is extremely high.