In meteorite composition, what does the acronym FeNi stand for?

• A. Iron-Nickel
• B. Iron-Nitrogen
• C. Ferric-Nickel
• D. Fluorine-Nickel

Answer: (A)

This question is about recognizing chemical symbols used for metal alloys in meteorites. FeNi is a shorthand for iron-nickel, an alloy of iron and nickel that is common in metallic meteorites. The symbols Fe and Ni come from the periodic table, representing iron and nickel, respectively. In meteorite studies, the iron-nickel alloy is a key component and appears in forms like kamacite and taenite, distinguished by their nickel content. It’s not nitrogen, ferric iron, or fluorine—those would refer to different elements or compounds. The correct interpretation is Iron-Nickel.