Formation and Characteristics of the Inner Solar System

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the formation and characteristics of the inner solar system, including gravitational forces, planetary behavior, and atmospheric conditions.

What was the main component from which the solar system formed?

The solar system formed from a rotating solar nebula.

What determines whether a planet is a terrestrial planet?

A planet's condensation temperature determines if it is made of solid or gas; solid planets are known as terrestrial planets.

What is the significance of gravity in our solar system?

Gravity holds planets in orbit around the Sun and is responsible for the formation of stars and planets.

How does mass affect gravitational force?

Greater mass results in a stronger gravitational force, while smaller mass results in a weaker gravitational force.

What is the formula for Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation?

F=G(m1m2)/r, where F is the force of gravity, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the two masses, and r is the distance between their centers.

How does distance affect gravitational force?

The closer two objects are to each other, the stronger the gravitational force; the further apart they are, the weaker the gravitational force.

What is Kepler's First Law?

Each planet's orbit around the Sun is an ellipse, with the Sun at one focus.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is when gases in a planet's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space.

Why is Earth considered the only habitable terrestrial planet?

Earth has liquid water, a suitable atmosphere, and temperatures that allow for life to exist, which are not found on the other terrestrial planets.

What are the main components of Earth's atmosphere?

Earth's atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), with trace amounts of argon and carbon dioxide.

What happens to a planet as it revolves closer to the Sun?

The closer a planet is to the Sun, the faster its orbit due to stronger gravitational forces.

What is unique about Venus's rotation and revolution?

Venus has a day longer than its year; it takes 243 Earth days to rotate and 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun.

How does the mass of the Sun compare to Earth?

The Sun is approximately 330,000 times more massive than Earth.

What creates auroras on Earth?

Auroras are created by solar energy interacting with Earth's magnetic field and entering the atmosphere.

What defines an ellipse in the context of planetary orbits?

An ellipse is defined by two foci, and the sum of distances to the foci from any point on the ellipse is constant.

What contributed to the formation of Earth's primordial atmosphere?

Earth's primordial atmosphere formed from gases released during volcanic activity as the planet cooled.

What is the process of chemical differentiation?

Chemical differentiation is the process where denser elements sink to the center of a planet, forming the core, while less dense materials rise to form the crust.

What is the primary reason Mars cannot support human life?

Mars has a very thin atmosphere and lacks liquid water, making it too cold and uninhabitable under current conditions.

What role do convection currents play within Earth's mantle?

Convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates, influencing geological processes like earthquakes and volcanic activity.