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THE SOLAR SYSTEM Formation

THE SOLAR SYSTEM Formation. Stages of Formation. 1. Collapsing Cloud

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THE SOLAR SYSTEM Formation

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  1. THE SOLAR SYSTEMFormation

  2. Stages of Formation 1. Collapsing Cloud Stated as a vast cloud of gas and dust. Due to the effect of its own gravity, the cloud collapsed, began to spin and formed itself into a disk shape. As this happened the cloud began to heat up, especially at the center. 2. Hot and Cold The temperature and pressure rose high enough to start a nuclear reaction, which formed the sun. The remaining matter vaporized, then condensed into tiny particles, leaving the heavier elements close to the sun and the lighter materials, such as ice, farther out.

  3. Cont’d 3. Building Blocks The particles began to collect together, smashing into each other and reforming as bigger and bigger bodies each time – Acretion. Eventually these bodies formed into planets. The spinning disk ensured that their orbits around the sun remained more or less on the same plane. 4. Complete System Most of the matter in the solar system today is tied up in the sun, the planets, and their moons.

  4. Comparative planetology – the study of the planets through comparison and contrast Earth is our basis of comparison because we know it the best

  5. Earth • Formed from inner solar nebula about 4.6 billion years ago. • Probably the only planet that is still geologically active, this is why Earth bears so few craters

  6. 4 Developmental Stages 1. Differentiation - The separation of material according to density - Very dense core, lower density crust - Occurred easily because Earth was molten when young 2. Cratering - Violent, intense - After Earth had a hard surface - Heavy bombardment of meteorites - Largest meteorites blasted out crater basins hundreds of kilometers in diameter - Once solar nebula cleared, there was less bombardment

  7. 4 Stages Cont’d 3. Flooding - Began when cratering was still intense - Radioactive decay allowed molten rock to well up through fissures and flood the deeper basins - Atmosphere cooled and water fell as rain filling the deepest basins to produce the first oceans - Flooding involves lava and water 4. Slow surface evolution - Continued for last 3.5 billion years or more - Surface constantly changing as sections slide over each other; they push up mountains and shift continents - Moving air and water erode the surface and wear away geological features

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