Formation of the Solar System Formation of the Solar System 3.0 / 5 based on 1 rating ? AstronomyOtherNone Created by: JelenaCreated on: 23-03-13 15:06 Formation of Our Sun Estimated to be formed about 4.6 billion years ago Solar Nebula Theory: Sun formed by collapse of giant molecular cloud (nebula) Gravity pulled mass of nebula towards centre = the Sun! 1 of 5 Formation of the Planets Accretion = most accepted theory Planetary systems form from a protoplanetary disk Disk formed by materials left over from creation of central star Central star = mixture of gas and dust Materials pushed into disk shape by conservation of angular momentum Gas and dust in disk collide and stick to each other Clumps form planetesimals Planetesimals = objects of at least 1 km Planetesimals with large mass attracts smaller mass clumps b/c of gravity 2 of 5 Formation of the Inner Planets Region of solar system inside 4 AU too warm for volatile molecules to condense Planetismals that formed there could only form from compounds with high melting points So, metals like tungsten, iron, nickel, aluminium and rocky silicates 3 of 5 Formation of the Gas Giant Planets Beyond 4 AU (frost line) temperatures were cold So, volatile compounds (like water and methane) could remain solid = ice Accretion drew ice together Ice that formed outer planets more abundant than metals and silicates of inner planets Gas giant planets grew big enough to capture hydrogen and helium B/c hydrogen and helium were so abundant, gas giants grew massive Gas giants = 99% of all mass orbiting the Sun 4 of 5 The Remaining Debris Amount of interplanetary debris thinned out b/c it crashed into planets or was diverted out of solar system Most debris was ejected out of solar system Planetismals b/w Jupiter + Mars (AKA the Asteroid Belt) remained there b/c of Jupiter's gravitational force It prevented them from merging to form a planet Asteroids range from a few km to 1000 km in diameter Asteroids have a pitted, irregular surface 5 of 5
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