Gravity and the Solar System

Front

What are planetesimals?

Back

Planetesimals are small celestial bodies formed when dust grains stuck together and increased in size to become kilometer-sized objects.

Front

How does mass affect gravitational pull?

Back

Objects (or planets) with less mass have less gravitational pull.

Front

What is the first step in the formation of the solar system?

Back

Step 1 in the formation of the solar system involves the accumulation of dust and gas in a protoplanetary disk.

Front

What two factors affect gravitational force?

Back

The two factors that affect gravitational force are size (mass) and distance between objects.

Front

What is an orbit?

Back

An orbit is the path an object takes as it moves around another object, such as the Earth around the Sun.

Front

What is the relationship between distance and gravitational force?

Back

As the distance between two objects increases, the gravitational force between them decreases.

Front

What role do planetesimals play in the formation of planets?

Back

Planetesimals collide and merge to form larger bodies, eventually leading to the formation of planets.

Front

What is the significance of the Sun in the solar system?

Back

The Sun is the central star of the solar system, providing the gravitational force that keeps the planets in orbit.

Front

How does the mass of an object influence its gravitational force?

Back

The greater the mass of an object, the stronger its gravitational force.

Front

What is a protoplanetary disk?

Back

A protoplanetary disk is a rotating disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star, where planets can form.