Question

which statement best illustrates the role that gravity played in the formation of the solar system? gravity removed excess gas and dust from the cores of the planets. gravity allowed the nebula to expand and move outward. gravity pulled particles of dust and gas together to form planets. gravity caused the nebula to cool enough for planets to form.

Explanation:

• Gravity acts as an attractive force. In the context of solar - system formation (from the nebular hypothesis), dust and gas particles are pulled together by gravity.
• Option 1: Gravity does not remove excess gas and dust from planet cores in the formation process. Planets grow by accretion, not by removing material from cores.
• Option 2: Gravity is a force of attraction, not expansion. It would cause a nebula to contract, not expand.
• Option 4: Gravity does not directly cause cooling. Cooling is related to processes like radiation of heat, not the gravitational force itself.

Answer:

Gravity pulled particles of dust and gas together to form planets.