HW#18: pg. 157-158 Rev 7 – 9; CST 7 – 9
Rev 7 – 9
7. What is the key ingredient in the modern condensation theory of the solar system's origin that was missing or unknown in the nebular theory?
8. Give three examples of how the condensation theory explains the observed features of the present-day solar system.
9. Describe how the terrestrial planets formed.
CST 7 – 9
7. The inner planets formed (a) when the Sun's heat destroyed all the smaller bodies in the inner solar system; (b) in the outer solar system and then were deflected inward by interactions with Jupiter and Saturn; (c) by collisions and mergers of planetesimals; (d) when a larger planet broke into pieces.
8. The solar system is differentiated because (a) all the heavy elements in the outer solar system have sunk to the center; (b) all the light elements in the inner solar system became part of the Sun; (c) all the light elements in the inner solar system were carried off in the form of comets; (d) only rocky and metallic particles could form close to the Sun.
9. According to Figure 6.18 ("Solar System Formation"), the jovian planets formed (a) at the same time as the terrestrial planets; (b) after the terrestrial planets; (c) within a few million years of the formation of the Sun; (d) at the same time as the Oort cloud.