Question

introducing the solar system
understanding main ideas
answer the following questions in the spaces provided.

1. what makes up our solar system?
2. from what did the solar system form?
3. when was the solar system formed?

building vocabulary

Explanation:

1. What makes up our solar system?

The solar system consists of the Sun (a star) at its center, along with planets (e.g., Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), dwarf planets (e.g., Pluto), moons orbiting planets, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, and interplanetary dust/gas. Gravitational forces bind these objects together.

1. From what did the solar system form?

The solar system formed from a giant cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula (mostly hydrogen, helium, and heavier elements). About 4.6 billion years ago, gravitational collapse of this nebula (possibly triggered by a nearby supernova or shockwave) caused it to spin, flatten into a disk, and condense into the Sun and other celestial bodies.

1. When was the solar system formed?

The solar system formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago, based on radiometric dating of meteorites (the oldest solar system materials) and astronomical models of nebular collapse.

Answer:

s:

1. The solar system is made up of the Sun, planets (and their moons), dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, and interplanetary matter, bound by gravity.
2. The solar system formed from a rotating cloud of gas and dust (solar nebula).
3. The solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago.