Question

part 1: vocabulary match
match the term on the left with the correct description on the right.

term	letter	description
2. accretion	_____	b. a giant, cold cloud of gas and dust.
3. supernova	_____	c. the process where dust sticks together to form larger objects.
4. planetesimal	_____	d. the imaginary boundary that separates rocky giants.
5. frost line	_____	e. a star explosion that likely triggered our solar system’s collapse.

part 2: the solar system timeline
the steps below are out of order. number them 1 through 5 to show the correct sequence of how our solar system formed.
____ the spin: the cloud flattens into a spinning \protoplanetary disk\ (the pizza dough effect).
____ the accretion: dust grains collide and stick together to form planetesimals.
____ the collapse: a nearby supernova shockwave causes the nebula to start shrinking.
____ the leftovers: debris that didnt become planets remains as asteroids and meteorites.
____ the ignition: 99.8% of mass moves to the center and the sun begins nuclear fusion.

Explanation:

Part 1: Vocabulary Match

1. Nebula

• A nebula is defined as a giant, cold cloud of gas and dust. So it matches with description B.

2. Accretion

• Accretion refers to the process where dust sticks together to form larger objects. So it matches with description C.

3. Supernova

• A supernova is a star explosion, and it is thought to have triggered our solar system's collapse. So it matches with description E.

4. Planetesimal

• Planetesimals are like "baby planets" that acted as vacuum cleaners in space (collecting matter). So it matches with description A.

5. Frost Line

• The Frost Line is the imaginary boundary that separates rocky planets from gas giants. So it matches with description D.

Part 2: The Solar System Timeline

To determine the correct sequence, we analyze the formation process of the solar system:

1. The Collapse: A nearby supernova shockwave causes the nebula to start shrinking. This is the initial trigger, so it is step 1.
2. The Spin: After the nebula starts shrinking, the cloud flattens into a spinning "protoplanetary disk". So this is step 2.
3. The Accretion: Dust grains collide and stick together to form planetesimals. This happens after the disk forms, so it is step 3.
4. The Ignition: 99.8% of mass moves to the center and the Sun begins nuclear fusion. This occurs after planetesimals start forming and mass accumulates at the center, so it is step 4.
5. The Leftovers: Debris that didn't become planets remains as asteroids and meteorites. This is the final step, so it is step 5.

Part 1 Answers:

1. Nebula: B
2. Accretion: C
3. Supernova: E
4. Planetesimal: A
5. Frost Line: D

Part 2 Answers (Order of steps):

• The Spin: 2
• The Accretion: 3
• The Collapse: 1
• The Leftovers: 5
• The Ignition: 4

Answer:

Part 1: Vocabulary Match

1. Nebula

• A nebula is defined as a giant, cold cloud of gas and dust. So it matches with description B.

2. Accretion

• Accretion refers to the process where dust sticks together to form larger objects. So it matches with description C.

3. Supernova

• A supernova is a star explosion, and it is thought to have triggered our solar system's collapse. So it matches with description E.

4. Planetesimal

• Planetesimals are like "baby planets" that acted as vacuum cleaners in space (collecting matter). So it matches with description A.

5. Frost Line

• The Frost Line is the imaginary boundary that separates rocky planets from gas giants. So it matches with description D.

Part 2: The Solar System Timeline

To determine the correct sequence, we analyze the formation process of the solar system:

1. The Collapse: A nearby supernova shockwave causes the nebula to start shrinking. This is the initial trigger, so it is step 1.
2. The Spin: After the nebula starts shrinking, the cloud flattens into a spinning "protoplanetary disk". So this is step 2.
3. The Accretion: Dust grains collide and stick together to form planetesimals. This happens after the disk forms, so it is step 3.
4. The Ignition: 99.8% of mass moves to the center and the Sun begins nuclear fusion. This occurs after planetesimals start forming and mass accumulates at the center, so it is step 4.
5. The Leftovers: Debris that didn't become planets remains as asteroids and meteorites. This is the final step, so it is step 5.

Part 1 Answers:

1. Nebula: B
2. Accretion: C
3. Supernova: E
4. Planetesimal: A
5. Frost Line: D

Part 2 Answers (Order of steps):

• The Spin: 2
• The Accretion: 3
• The Collapse: 1
• The Leftovers: 5
• The Ignition: 4