Overview
The formation of the solar system is a complex process that began around 4.6 billion years ago with the collapse of a giant molecular cloud. This collapse led to the formation of the Sun at the center, surrounded by a rotating disk of gas and dust. Over time, particles in this disk began to collide ...
Key Terms
Example: The Orion Nebula is a well-known star-forming region.
Example: The protoplanetary disk around our Sun led to the formation of planets.
Example: Accretion helped form the Earth from smaller planetesimals.
Example: Planetesimals eventually coalesce to form planets.
Example: Earth's core is formed from heavy metals due to differentiation.
Example: Solar wind can affect the atmospheres of planets.
Related Topics
Key Concepts
Nebular HypothesisProtoplanetary DiskAccretionPlanetary Differentiation