Objective 2: Describe how and why the solar system formed.

Objective 2Describe how and why the solar system formed.

• The Sun captured them from smaller, older, nearby star.

• They are the remains of an exploded star once paired with the Sun.

• They are condensed rings of matter thrown off by a recently formed Sun.

• They formed from a nebular cloud of dust and gas.

The four planets closest to the Sun are all made of dense, rocky material. Which of the following is TRUE?

• The similarity between these planets is caused by the Sun's heat, which burned off any lighter materials on these planets during the formation of the solar system.

• The similarity between these planets is due to random chance.

• The similarity between these planets is caused by the Sun's gravity pushing lighter materials further out during the formation of the solar system.

• The similarity between these planets is caused by the Sun's gravity pulling heavier materials closer to the Sun during the formation of the solar system.

Why are planets spherical?

• Circular orbits produce spherical planets.

• Gravity exerts an equal force in all directions.

• Rocks are ejected from spinning bodies.

• Solar winds polish the surfaces of orbiting planets.

Solar winds polish the surfaces of orbiting planets.

• As asteroids were caught in the Sun’s gravity, they started orbiting the Sun.

• As the planets rotated along their axes, the spinning energy was transferred to their orbits.

• As gravitation pulled on a cloud of dust, the dust cloud started to spin.

• As the satellites heated up from the Sun’s energy, they started to move in circles.

What caused the Sun to start emitting light?

• The collapse of a dust cloud due to gravitation caused the Sun to heat up.

• The heat generated by rotating planets caused the Sun to burn.

• The accidental spark caused by two nearby asteroids caused a gas cloud to ignite.

• The collision of two stars caused an explosion.

Which of these best describes the formation of the Earth?

• The Earth was formed from a spinning cloud of gas and dust.

• The Earth was formed from the collision of two asteroids.

• The Earth was formed when a piece of the Sun broke off the star.

• The Earth was formed when Mars split in two.

Which of these best describes the formation of the Sun?

• Gravitation pulled together planets and satellites to form the Sun.

• Gravitation pulled together a cloud of dust and gas to form the Sun.

• Electromagnetism pulled together a cloud of dust and gas to form the Sun.

• Electromagnetism pulled together planets and satellites to form the Sun.

Which of these forces was responsible for forming the solar system?

• Gravitational force

• Electrostatic force

• Nuclear force

• Magnetic force

Our solar system began as a cloud of __________.

• neutrons, protons, and electrons.

• matter, light, and heat.

• stars, radiation, and gravity.

• gas, ice, and dust.

The sun is made up of what 2 main elements?

• Hydrogen and Nitrogen

• Helium and Carbon

• Helium and Nitrogen

• Hydrogen and Helium