UNIVERSE
SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Inner planets formed from lighter elements.
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The outer planets formed from heavier elements. The lighter elements that were left over formed larger inner planets.
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The inner planets formed from heavier elements. Lighter elements that were left over formed into larger outer planets.
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -The temperature of the early solar system explains why the inner planets are rocky and the outer ones are gaseous. As the gases coalesced to form a protosun, the temperature in the solar system rose. In the inner solar system temperatures were as high as 2000 K, while in the outer solar system it was as cool as 50 K.
Detailed explanation-2: -The planets nearest to the star tend to be rockier because the star’s wind blows away their gases and because they are made of heavier materials attracted by the star’s gravity.
Detailed explanation-3: -This is because the outer planets are in a gaseous state while the inner planets are solid and more compact. Consequently, the density of the inner planets is greater than that of the outer planets. Despite the density differences, the mass is smaller for the inner planets than the outer planets.
Detailed explanation-4: -What caused this difference? Inner planets are smaller than the outer planets; gas giants have more gravity; Farther apart, inner planets have a solid surface, Inner planets are hotter, inner planets have a shorter period of revolution. Distance from the sun causes these differences.