CH 25.5 Solar System Formation Objectives: How did our solar system form? What evidence supports our ideas?
Nebula Theory The solar system formed from a cloud of dust and gas (nebula). 4.6 billion years ago Nebula produced by the explosion of a previous star.
Protoplanetary Disk Protoplanetary disk forms when gravity pulls particles and gas to the center. Disk begins to spin (possibly because of a shock wave from a “nearby” supernova. Gravity continues to contract the cloud to the center – making it spin faster (angular momentum … think ice skaters spinning) Protosun at center Sun when temperatures reach millions of degrees and NUCLEAR FUSION BEGINS. Nuclear fusion combines hydrogen atoms together to make helium and releases LOTS of ENERGY! Stars begin to shine!
Planets Grow by Accretion Accretion: Growth by colliding and sticking together Planetessimals (asteroid size) Protoplanets (moon size) Planets
Inner vs. Outer Inner Solar System = “Rocky” Planets Hotter Metals & Rock condense (gas higher temps. Outer Solar System = “Gas” Giants Colder Light gases like H; He; Ammonia; Methane; Water condense (gas solid ice cold temps.
Evidence to Support Sun is 99.9% of mass – in center. Planets all orbit in same plane. Planets orbit in same direction.
Summary
Extra-solar solar systems