Formation of the solar system Flashcards
How much bigger is the sun than the earth
300,000 times the mass of the earth
In what way is the density of the planets systematic?
Low density farther out, higher density closer to the sun (remember gas giants!) (Mostly correlated
What is the least dense planet?
Saturn, only planet less dense than water
How do elements relate to density/proximity to the sun
More dense (closer to sun) has more heavy elements (particularly iron)
Why does everything in the solar system spin according to the right-hand rule and rotate on their axes?
Because the universe collapsed out of an originally spinning cloud
Why are Uranus and Venus exceptions to the right-hand rule/rotation of the solar system?
Uranus - tipped over, rotates almost fully 90 degrees off
venus - hit to the point of almost stopping
What is the collapse of the entire solar system into a plane (pancake!) largely related to?
Conservation of angular momentum
Where is the main asteroid belt?
Between Mars and Jupiter
Where is the Kuiper belt (icy objects)
At the edge of the solar system past neptune, (30-50 AU)
- is still in the plane of ecliptic (pancake)
What is the Oort Cloud?
Spherical distribution of things that got kicked out during the formation
10,000-100,000 AU
What caused the collapse of the (cloud?) that the universe was formed out of?
Mostly gravity, but could have been sped up by explosion of nearby supernova
What is the main reason that we have two different types of planets?
Temperature of materials from collapse close to the sun boils off volatile ices and gasses
The temperature of materials from collapse far from the sun condenses and builds up
Hot rocks and metals vs. cool condensed ice(s)
Which planet formed first?
Jupiter
(because there was more material in the outer part of the solar system when things started sticking)
What is the heavy bombardment period?
I guess shit went flying and was heavily bombarded because the point is cratered surfaces are old and smooth surfaces are new
Why does venus have a retrograde motion?
Late impact booooom
