8.1.1 Formation of the Solar System

• The Nebular Hypothesis states that the Solar System originated from a vast rotating cloud of dust and gas
• The nebula collapses under its own gravity, spinning faster and flattening into a disk.
• Match the stages of Solar System formation with their descriptions:

  Nebula Collapse ↔️ Nebula contracts under gravity

  Protoplanetary Disk Formation ↔️ Disk forms around a protostar

  Planetary Accretion ↔️ Dust and gas form planets
• The radius of a planet is proportional to the square root of the collision rate and the planetesimal
• The Nebular Hypothesis proposes that the Solar System formed from a nebula.
• Stages in the formation of the Solar System according to the Nebular Hypothesis:

  1️⃣ Nebula Collapse

  2️⃣ Formation of a Protostar

  3️⃣ Accretion into Planets
• At the center of the protoplanetary disk, a protostar forms, which eventually becomes the Sun
• The Nebular Hypothesis is the only theory for the formation of the Solar System.

  False
• The protoplanetary disk forms around a central protostar, which becomes the Sun
• The density of a nebula increases as it collapses due to gravity.
• The protoplanetary disk is a flat, disk-like structure made of gas and dust
• The protoplanetary disk rotates around a central protostar.
• During the initial nebula collapse, the cloud flattens into a spinning disk
• The protoplanetary disk is made up of gas and dust particles.
• During star formation, nuclear fusion converts hydrogen into helium
• Gravitational equilibrium stabilizes a newly formed star.
• Steps in the formation of planetesimals and planets:

  1️⃣ Electrostatic attraction

  2️⃣ Gravitational attraction

  3️⃣ Repeated collisions

  4️⃣ Accretion
• Planetesimals continue to accrete more material, growing into protoplanets and eventually planets
• What force causes small particles to adhere to each other in the early stages of planetesimal formation?

  Electrostatic forces
• Repeated collisions form larger clumps, gradually becoming planetesimals
• Stages of the Nebular Hypothesis in Solar System formation

  1️⃣ Nebula Collapse

  2️⃣ Protoplanetary Disk Formation

  3️⃣ Planetary Accretion
• The protoplanetary disk consists of gas and dust particles rotating around a central protostar.
• What equation determines the density of the nebula or protoplanetary disk?

  $\text{Density} =$$\frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}}$
• The initial nebula collapse occurs due to the force of gravity
• During the initial nebula collapse, the cloud spins faster and flattens into a disk.
• What is located at the center of the protoplanetary disk during its formation?

  Protostar
• The protoplanetary disk is characterized by its flat, disk-like structure
• The protoplanetary disk rotates around a central protostar.
• Stages of planetesimal formation and growth

  1️⃣ Electrostatic forces

  2️⃣ Gravitational attraction

  3️⃣ Collisions

  4️⃣ Accretion
• What is the term for the process by which planetesimals grow into protoplanets?

  Accretion
• Planetesimals collide and stick together due to both electrostatic forces and gravitational attraction.
• The final stages of Solar System formation involve clearing leftover gas, dust, and planetesimals
• What force clears residual material from the Solar System during its final stages?

  Gravity
• Stages in the final formation of the Solar System

  1️⃣ Clearing Debris

  2️⃣ Formation of Asteroid Belt

  3️⃣ Late Heavy Bombardment
• What is the process by which planets change their orbits due to gravitational interactions called?

  Planetary Migration
• Planetary stabilization occurs when planets settle into stable orbits
• Planetary migration can involve gravitational interactions with the protoplanetary disk or other planets.
• What is Planetary Migration?

  Planets change their orbits
• Stabilization occurs when gravitational interactions cease and planets settle into stable orbits.
• Planetary migration is driven by gravitational interactions with the protoplanetary disk or other planets