Formation of the Solar System

Front

What are terrestrial planets?

Back

Terrestrial planets are rocky planets that are closer to the Sun, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Front

What is the age of our solar system?

Back

The solar system is approximately 4.6 billion years old.

Front

What does the solar system consist of?

Back

The solar system consists of planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and the Sun.

Front

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Back

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.

Front

What theory explains the formation of the solar system?

Back

The solar nebular theory explains the formation of the solar system.

Front

What are gas giant planets?

Back

Gas giant planets are large planets that are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, including Jupiter and Saturn.

Front

What is the significance of the solar nebula in the formation of the solar system?

Back

The solar nebula is the cloud of gas and dust from which the solar system formed.

Front

What role do gravity and accretion play in the formation of planets?

Back

Gravity pulls together gas and dust in the solar nebula, while accretion refers to the process of particles clumping together to form larger bodies.

Front

What are the main differences between terrestrial and gas giant planets?

Back

Terrestrial planets are rocky and smaller, while gas giants are larger and composed mainly of gases.

Front

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Back

The Kuiper Belt is a region of the solar system beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies and dwarf planets.