Question

which of the following statements about the formation of the solar system is not accepted as true? the sun began as a large rocky planet, but as clumps of matter kept getting pulled toward it by gravity, it became much larger and hotter. the center of the early solar system was so hot, only rocky planets were able to sustain the heat. the solar system began from a spinning cloud of dust and gas. gravity pulled clumps of dust and gas together, which eventually formed the planets.

Explanation:

To determine the incorrect statement, we analyze each option based on solar system formation theory:

1. Option 1: The sun formed from a nebula (cloud of dust/gas), not a rocky planet. Rocky planets formed later from planetesimals. This statement is false.
2. Option 2: Inner solar system (near the sun) was hot, so only rocky (terrestrial) planets formed there (gas giants formed in cooler outer regions). This is true.
3. Option 3: The solar system originated from a spinning nebula (cloud of dust and gas) – the nebular hypothesis. This is true.
4. Option 4: Gravity caused dust/gas clumps to accrete, forming planets. This is a key part of planet formation. This is true.

Answer:

The sun began as a large rocky planet, but as clumps of matter kept getting pulled toward it by gravity, it became much larger and hotter.