A block in a blockchain consists of three main components:
- Block Header: The block header contains metadata about the block, including the timestamp when the block was created, a reference to the previous block (known as the “previous hash”), the current block’s hash, and a nonce value. The hash of the block header serves as a unique identifier for the block and is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the blockchain.
- Transactions: The block contains a list of transactions that have been validated and confirmed by network participants. Each transaction typically includes information such as the sender’s address, the recipient’s address, the amount of cryptocurrency transferred, and any additional data or conditions associated with the transaction.
- Merkle Tree Root: The Merkle tree root, also known as the Merkle root, is a cryptographic hash generated from all the transactions included in the block. It serves as a compact representation of the transaction data, allowing network participants to efficiently verify the integrity of the transactions without needing to process each transaction individually.
These components work together to form a block in the blockchain. Once a block is created, it is added to the existing chain of blocks, forming a sequential and immutable record of all transactions that have occurred on the blockchain.
