Question

after our solar system began to form, dust and gas combined into small bodies that formed the planets. what are these small bodies called?
○ dwarf planets
○ gas giant planets
○ planetesimals
○ terrestrial planets

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Dwarf planets: These are celestial bodies that don't meet all planet criteria, not the small bodies forming planets.
• Gas giant planets: Large planets made mostly of gas, formed later from planetesimals, not the initial small bodies.
• Planetesimals: Small celestial bodies that collide and combine to form planets during solar system formation. This matches the description.
• Terrestrial planets: Rocky planets (like Earth) formed from planetesimals, but they are the end - result, not the initial small bodies.

Answer:

C. planetesimals