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Formation of Solar System

The process of the Solar System's creation, where planets, asteroids, and comets formed from a flat disk of material around the Sun. Inner planets were warmer, smaller, and rocky, while outer planets were colder and larger, with ice mixed in. Gravity from outer planets influenced the movement of ice chunks, leading to the formation and distribution of comets.

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1

Imagine you are an astronomer studying a newly discovered solar system that has both rocky inner planets and gaseous outer planets. Based on what you know about the formation of our Solar System, what can you infer about the conditions that led to the creation of these planets?

Near the Sun it was hot and only heavy materials could survive; farther away temperatures fell and gases and ice could stick together. Other options a...

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2

How did the formation of the Solar System influence the differences between inner and outer planets?

During the Sun’s birth, the space close to it was very hot, so only heavy rocks and metals could stick together. Other options are incorrect because S...

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3

The formation of the Solar System involved a flat disk of material around the Sun, leading to the creation of planets, asteroids, and comets. This process is largely influenced by the gravitational effects of larger bodies, which can be best described as _______.

When large planets form, they pull nearby dust and gas with their gravity. Other options are incorrect because People often think planet growth is onl...

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4

Classify the following celestial objects based on their formation and characteristics: a rocky planet, a gas giant, a comet, and an asteroid. Which category best describes each object?

Rocky planets form where it is warm. Other options are incorrect because Many students think gas giants are only made of gas because they look fluffy;...

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5

What is the primary cause of the differences in composition and size between the inner and outer planets of the Solar System?

Near the Sun, temperatures were very hot. Other options are incorrect because People sometimes think the Sun’s pull is stronger closer by, so inner pl...

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6

How does the temperature difference between inner and outer planets affect their composition during solar system formation?

The sun was hotter near the center when the planets formed. Other options are incorrect because Some think all planets could be made the same way; A c...

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7

Arrange the following steps of the Solar System's formation in the correct order: A) Ice chunks from the outer regions began to coalesce into larger bodies, B) A flat disk of material formed around the young Sun, C) Inner planets developed as rocky bodies in the warmer region, D) Gravity from the larger outer planets began to influence the distribution of comets.

The correct order is B → C → A → D. Other options are incorrect because This option mixes up the timing of ice gathering and planet building; It rever...

hardorderingClick to view full solution
8

Which of the following statements about the formation of the Solar System are correct? (Select all that apply)

The outer planets formed in colder parts of the solar nebula, so ice could stick to them. Other options are incorrect because Inner planets are rock a...

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9

Inner planets : rocky composition :: Outer planets : ?

Outer planets are built from material that froze in the cold outer reaches of the early Solar System. Other options are incorrect because Some people ...

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