What is the nebular theory? How does it get its name?
” The nebular theory describes how our solar system formed from a cloud of interstellar gas and dust. Its name comes from the Latin word for cloud, “nebula,” the word we use for such clouds of interstellar matter. 10. “Explain how temperature differences in the solar nebula led to the condensation of different materials at different distances from the protosun. What do we mean by the frost line in the solar nebula?” Metal and rocks condensed nearer to the protosun, as they were the only material which could withstand the heat. Further out as the temperatures decreased, minerals with water and carbon-rich matter joined the condensation. Past the frost line, temperatures were low enough for hydrogen compounds to condense into ices. The frost line lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars and represents the point where ices will begin to condense. 12. “Briefly explain why accretion in the outer solar system was able to produce much larger planetesimals than in the inner solar system.” A
