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Formation of a Solar System Notes
Integrated Science 2
Name:
Pd:
I. Formation of a Solar System

Within each galaxy are many _________________ (plural of _____________)
•
A nebula is a _________________________________________________________ from which
stars and their solar systems are formed.
•
A nebula can be many colors depending on the _______________________ makeup of the gas.
•
Our solar system, which is about ____________________________ formed from the nebula left
over after a massive star blew apart in a ________________________
•
Heavy elements in our solar system, such as __________ and _________were formed in a
supernova. The abundance of heavy elements in our solar system is so great, that our sun is
thought to be a forth or fifth generation star (having accumulated heavy elements from more than
one supernova)
•
Gravitational attraction of the particles in a nebula pull the cloud into a ___________________.
•
Most of the __________ concentrates in the center.
•
Draw the spinning disk of a solar nebula
Gravitational pressure at the center of this
disk forces atoms so close together that
they begin to ______________________,
forming a star like our sun.
II. Formation of Planets
 Debris in the outer disk begins to
___________________and __________________, forming planetesimals.

Heavier elements are pulled towards the center of the solar system, so the inner
(_________________________) planets are small and dense.

List the Terrestrial planets: ______________________________________________

Solar winds blast light gasses away from the center, so the outer _______ _____________ are
composed primarily of gasses, and are much bigger.

List the 4 Gas Giants: ________________________________________________

The young planets gain mass from the ______________________ of debris in their orbit.
III. Planetary Development
• The surfaces of early planets are heated by a heavy _____________________ of
___________________
Through a process called _____________________, the heavier elements accreted to a planet sink to its
core, while the lightest elements float on the planet’s surface.
In the box to the right, draw a differentiated planet.

Surface Evolution continues as a result of ____________________,
__________________ and/or ______________________________

Jovian planets undergo differentiation, but we are unsure about
surface evolution after that.
IV.
Formation of Moons and Rings
1. Two models for Moon formation
A. A large object in space _______________________________, throwing out debris that collects into a
__________________ (Ex: Earth’s moon)
B. _____________________ have been captured by the planet when they came too close, getting trapped
by the ____________________________ of the planet (Ex: The moons of Mars)
2. All planets have moons except __________________ and ________________.
Some planets also have rings

Rings are either __________blown away from the planet but trapped in its gravitational field OR
they are ________________________________________________________________

V.
Only the ___________________________ have rings.
Two Theories on the Formation of Terrestrial Oceans and Atmospheres
A. ____________________ vented gasses and ___________ ______________ out of the planet’s crust.
B. _________ and _______________ was brought to the terrestrial planets by _________________ and
__________________________, knocked out of their orbits during the early movement of gas giants.
VI. Extrasolar planets: planets that orbit _______________________.
A. We have developed multiple methods to detect _____________around stars near us in the Milky Way.
Exoplanet count as of ____________________________. _________ planets around _________ stars.
B. Other solar systems appear to have _________________________________________ with ours,
including different sized planets and gas giants with _________________.