The Solar System Formed Study Guide

Which statement contradicts Kant's Nebular Hypothesis of the sun's formation?

• The sun's temperature increased over time.

• The sun expanded after its formation.

• The sun's rotation slowed down after it formed.

• The sun's mass moved towards its center.

Immanuel Kant proposed the nebular hypothesis for the origin of the solar system as a single cloud of material rotating in a single direction. Which object in our solar system is the most similar to the nebula in composition?

• sun
• Mars
• Earth
• Mercury

A student rubs an inflated balloon with wool. The student moves the balloon over bits of paper, and the balloon attracts it. Which statement best describes how the balloon models the early formation of planets in the solar system?

• The balloon and the planets are both constructed from bits of matter that they collect.
• The balloon circles over the bits of paper, just as the planets circle around each other.
• The balloon and the planets both display orbital motion around a larger body of mass.
• The balloon attracts bits of paper, just as the planets attract matter that is around them.

Which statement correctly describes a difference in our solar system’s inner planets and outer planets due to gravitational effects?

• The inner planets are larger.
• The outer planets have more moons.
• The inner planets are more spread apart.
• The outer planets all have rocky surfaces.

What are the primary components of a comet?

• hydrogen and helium

• rock and metals

• gas, ice, and dust

• oxygen and nitrogen

An astronomer uses parallax to determine a star’s distance from Earth. Which statement correctly describes parallax?

• Stars closer to Earth will have a dimmer appearance.
• Stars farther away from Earth will have a dimmer appearance.
• Stars closer to Earth will appear to have a greater shift in position.
• Stars farther away from Earth will appear to have a greater shift in position.

Which statement summarizes how the formation of the solar system was similar to the differentiation of Earth into layers?

• In both processes, the most massive materials moved to the center.
• In both processes, the most massive materials moved to the outside.
• In both processes, the most massive materials were evenly distributed.
• In both processes, the most massive materials formed the middle layer.

Explain how the planets stay in orbit around the sun.

• Due to magnetic attraction
• Because of centrifugal force
• Gravitational pull from the sun
• Solar wind propulsion

Describe one way in which a young star is different from a protostar.

• Young stars are cooler
• Protostars have already undergone nuclear fusion
• Young stars have a stable energy output
• Protostars are still in the process of forming

Explain why there is a larger gravitational force between the sun and Earth than between two tennis balls on a table.

• The sun and Earth are much larger and more massive than the tennis balls.
• Earth and the sun have opposite charges
• Tennis balls have a repulsive magnetic force
• Earth and tennis balls have similar masses