Formation of Planets and Moons Flashcards
What does planetary motion/coplanarity suggest?
Planets move in the same direction along the ecliptic, indicating a fundamental connection between the planets and the sun.
What is Bode’s Law?
Bode’s Law highlights the regular spacing between planetary orbits, suggesting a systematic arrangement.
How are planets organized based on size?
Inner small planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) and outer large planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).
How is planetary mass determined?
Through gravitational influences on moons, other planets, and space probes using Kepler’s Laws, Newton’s laws, and the gravitational constant (G).
How do planetary masses vary?
Inner planets are less massive than outer planets, with a clear demarcation in mass between them.
What does density reveal about planetary composition?
Density reveals key information about planetary composition, indicating the proportions of various materials such as metals, silicates, and gases present within a planet.
What role does volatility play in planetary composition?
Volatility determines which materials could accrete, influencing the differences between inner (mostly oxides and metals) and outer (predominantly icy) planets.
What insights do meteorites provide about planetary composition?
Meteorites, particularly chondrites, offer crucial information about planetary interiors and early solar system materials.
What are chondrules?
Unique to meteorites, chondrules suggest formation in low-pressure space environments and provide insights into early solar system material.
What is the significance of carbonaceous chondrites?
Studies of silicate and iron meteorites suggest processes forming planetary cores and mantles, and differences in densities correlate with core sizes.
What is the protoplanetary disk?
A disk formed from the contraction of a nebula, leading to heating, radial temperature variations, and the formation of planetesimals.
What is the “snow line”?
A region in the solar nebula where temperatures drop enough for volatile compounds to condense into solid ice grains.
What distinguishes inner from outer solar system formation?
Inner protoplanets are made of silicate and metal, while outer protoplanets are larger, accumulating gas and icy compounds, resulting in low densities.
What evidence indicates significant impacts on inner planets?
Impact evidence includes the formation of the Moon and unique features of Mercury.
What is the T-Tauri wind hypothesis?
It suggests that early solar wind ejected mass, slowing the sun’s spin and dispersing remaining gas and dust.
