Formation of Planetary Systems Review

Front

What is the solar system?

Back

The solar system is a collection of planets, moons, comets, and asteroids that orbit around a star, which in our case is the Sun.

Front

What does a position vs. time graph show?

Back

A position vs. time graph shows how the position of an object changes over time, indicating whether it is speeding up, slowing down, or moving at a constant speed.

Front

How long ago was our sun formed?

Back

The Sun was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago.

Front

What does it mean when an object is accelerating?

Back

An object is accelerating when it is changing its speed or direction, which can be indicated by a position vs. time graph showing a curve.

Front

What is accretion in the context of planetary formation?

Back

Accretion is the process by which particles in the solar nebula clump together to form larger bodies, leading to the creation of planetesimals.

Front

What are planetesimals?

Back

Planetesimals are small celestial bodies that formed from the dust and gas in the solar nebula and eventually coalesced to become planets.

Front

What role does gravity play in the solar system?

Back

Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward each other, keeping planets in orbit around the Sun and moons in orbit around planets.

Front

What is the solar nebula?

Back

The solar nebula is a cloud of gas and dust from which the solar system formed, consisting of hydrogen, helium, and heavier elements.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

Nuclear fusion is the process that powers stars, including the Sun, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing energy.

Front

What are comets?

Back

Comets are icy celestial bodies that release gas or dust, forming a glowing coma and tail when they approach the Sun.