Solar System Formation

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

A nebula is a large cloud of gas and dust in space.

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Why is evidence useful to scientists?

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Evidence is carefully gathered information that helps scientists support or refute a claim.

Front

What causes most planets to rotate in a counterclockwise direction?

Back

Most planets rotate in a counterclockwise direction due to the direction in which planetesimals rotated as they revolved around the center of the nebula.

Front

What are terrestrial planets?

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Terrestrial planets are rocky planets that are found in the inner solar system, such as Earth, Mars, Venus, and Mercury.

Front

What is the main reason the inner solar system has terrestrial planets?

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The inner solar system has terrestrial planets because planetesimals containing metal compounds formed toward the nebula’s warmer center.

Front

What is the significance of patterns in natural systems?

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Natural systems and events follow consistent patterns, which helps scientists understand and predict phenomena.

Front

What are planetesimals?

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Planetesimals are small bodies from which planets form, made of dust and gas in a protoplanetary disk.

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How do gravitational forces affect planet formation?

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Gravitational forces attract planetesimals, leading to their accumulation and formation of planets.

Front

What is the solar nebula theory?

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The solar nebula theory explains the formation of the solar system from a rotating disk of gas and dust.

Front

What role does the sun's gravity play in the solar system?

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The sun's gravity attracts planets and other celestial bodies, keeping them in orbit.