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Reference.org
Metallicity distribution function
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<p>The metallicity distribution function is an important concept in <a href="/facts/Stellar_evolution/Qa4vAGmn">stellar</a> and <a href="/facts/Galactic_evolution/uAPtXxr4">galactic evolution</a>. It is a curve of what proportion of stars have a particular <a href="/facts/Metallicity/nhhPqbYF">metallicity</a> of a population of stars such as in a cluster or galaxy. </p><p>MDFs are used to test different theories of galactic evolution. Much of the iron in a star will have come from earlier type Ia <a href="/facts/Supernova/Pfo2J23l">supernovae</a>. Other [alpha] metals can be produced in core collapse supernovae. </p>