What is Planetary differentiation?
[[File:Earth-crust-cutaway-english.svg|thumb|right|The layers of the Earth, a differentiated planetary body]] In [[planetary science]], '''planetary differentiation''' is the process of separating out different parts of a [[planetary body]] where the planetary body develops into distinct layers. The [[Density|denser]] [[Material|materials]] of a [[planet]] sink to the center, while less dense materials rise to the surface. Such a process usually creates a [[core]] and [[Mantle (geology)|mantle]]. Sometimes a crust forms on top of the mantle. The process of planetary differentiation has happened on planets, [[Dwarf planet|dwarf planets]], the [[asteroid]] [[4 Vesta]], and [[Natural satellite|natural satellites]] (such as the [[Moon]]). {{Science-stub}} [[Category:Planets]]