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Why did rocky planets form closer to the sun and gas planets farther from the sun?
Halloweenlover
the heat from the sun burns off gases and atmosphere, leaving only what can withstand the high temps ------------------
The above answer is not strictly true. It's actually down to the formation of the solar system, called (I think) "the solar nebula hypothesis", the planets were all formed from a rotating mass of gas and dust, all at the same time. Closer to the sun, denser elements were formed and held in its gravity, and hence formed the more dense planets, whereas the more gaseous, lighter elements were held further out in the sun's gravitational field. Nowadays (if I can use such a narrow term) the large gas giants retain their gas because they have such a great mass that they have very strong gravitational pulls of their own so only the very very light elements escape. Planets like the earth cannot retain the very light gases such as helium in its atmosphere because its gravitational pull is simply not strong enough.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoSimple answer: Gravity.
The heavier elements - rocks etc. - stayed closer to the Sun, whilst the lighter elements (Hydrogen, methane, ammonia etc.) got "blown" away by the solar winds.
The gas giants formed because they crossed what is know as the "ice line" [See related question] where it was cold enough for gases to coalesce into balls of ice, and ultimately into the gas giants we see today.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe early solar system comprised of a disk of gas which was hot near the newly formed protosun (about 2000 degrees Kelvin) and cooler at further distances.
Rocky and metallic substances condensed at the higher (inner) temperatures, while icy and gaseous substances condense at much lower temperatures further out.
So in the early stages, the inner solar system was rocky, while the planets forming in the outer regions of the solar system were made from (and accumulated) ice and gas. Things have pretty much remained this way since.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThis goes back to the time of the early solar system. For a short period, the sun produced a very powerful solar wind that swept most of the lighter materials away. As a result, there was not enough gas left to form gas giants.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agonobody really knows. some people think it was the big bang, others think god did it. but i think 2 or more meteors colliding form rocky and rough planets.
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Why do inner planets consist mostly of rock and metal but the outer planets mostly of gas?
Most of the inner planets have a volcano core. Really hott and boiling. But the outer planets are gassy so yes the inner planets are mostly rock! and so sorry bout the last person who answer. ; )
How do the terrestrial planets differ from the Jovian planets?
The jovian planets have no solid ground just compressed gases the terrestrial planets have solid ground. The Jovian planets are named gas giants because they are farther then the sun and are not solid and the terrestrial planets are closer to the sun and do not have as much gases.
Why are larger planets farther from the sun?
they are not. smaller planet can be farther..Initially the sun was surrounded by a disk of gas, it was probably denser towards the middle. The planets formed from this gas. A small fraction of the gas could condense to form rock and metal, which then sank to the centre of the gas planets. The inner planets have had their gas blown away by the solar wind, leaving only the rocky core, perhaps with a thin atmosphere. The Middle planets (Jupiter and Saturn) have kept all their gas and so are much larger. The Outer planets (Uranus, Neptune) formed from part of the original disk that was thinner and so they are somewhat smaller than Jupiter.Beyond Neptune their are only icy remenants, In that region was beyond the main disk that formed the solar system there are only very small (dwarf) planets there.Read more:Why_planets_nearer_to_sun_is_smaller_and_farther_to_sun_is_larger
For what reason did the inner planets not collect gas like the gas giants did?
The inner planets did not collect gas like the gas giants did because of their closeness to the Sun. The high temperatures allow for rocky, solid surfaces to form.
What substances existed as solid flakes within the inner 0.3 of the solar system before planets began to form?
I think that "0.3" is probably meant to be 0.3 AU. The answer is: the denser substances of the solar system which later formed the rocky inner planets. The gases were likely to form gas giant planets, further away from the Sun.
What type of celestial body is venus is it rocky or a gas giant?
All four of the inner planets are relatively small, rocky planets, like Earth. The gas giants needed to be farther away from the sun to form. Scientists have observed evidence of gas giants orbiting very close to their stars in other star systems, but they are not believed to have originated there.
Why are terrestrial planets rocky?
nobody really knows. some people think it was the big bang, others think god did it. but i think 2 or more meteors colliding form rocky and rough planets.
Are inner planets Rocky?
Th inner planets are rocky because as the Sun and planets formed the more volatile elements could not condense into droplets near to the hot Sun. Thus the inner planets are made form stuff with a high melting/boiling point and the outer planets (where it was cooler) are made from the gases.
Are the inner planets known as Rockies?
Sort of.The four inner planets are called "rocky" planets because they are primarily heavy elements, or "terrestrial" because they share the form of Earth.But the term "the Rockies" applies to the Rocky Mountains, a mountain range in the central western US, which extends north into Canada as the Canadian Rockies.
Why do inner planets consist mostly of rock and metal but the outer planets mostly of gas?
Most of the inner planets have a volcano core. Really hott and boiling. But the outer planets are gassy so yes the inner planets are mostly rock! and so sorry bout the last person who answer. ; )
Is Pluto or Neptune closer to Earth?
Neptune is closer to the sun but because of Pluto's elliptical orbit, Neptune is farther away form the sun for 20 years. Neptune is closer to the sun but because of Pluto's elliptical orbit, Neptune is farther away form the sun for 20 years.
How do the terrestrial planets differ from the Jovian planets?
The jovian planets have no solid ground just compressed gases the terrestrial planets have solid ground. The Jovian planets are named gas giants because they are farther then the sun and are not solid and the terrestrial planets are closer to the sun and do not have as much gases.
What feature separates the rocky planets from the gas planets?
Depth of the atmosphere. Gas planets have the thickest and largest of atmospheres. Below gas planets atmospheres are pools of hydrogen or in some cases volatile ices that form in a giant ocean above the surface. It's estimated that Jupiter's rocky surface is only about the size of three Earths but the bloated atmosphere makes for most of the planet.
Why are larger planets farther from the sun?
they are not. smaller planet can be farther..Initially the sun was surrounded by a disk of gas, it was probably denser towards the middle. The planets formed from this gas. A small fraction of the gas could condense to form rock and metal, which then sank to the centre of the gas planets. The inner planets have had their gas blown away by the solar wind, leaving only the rocky core, perhaps with a thin atmosphere. The Middle planets (Jupiter and Saturn) have kept all their gas and so are much larger. The Outer planets (Uranus, Neptune) formed from part of the original disk that was thinner and so they are somewhat smaller than Jupiter.Beyond Neptune their are only icy remenants, In that region was beyond the main disk that formed the solar system there are only very small (dwarf) planets there.Read more:Why_planets_nearer_to_sun_is_smaller_and_farther_to_sun_is_larger
Why inner planets are rocky?
Continue from the birth of our sun. After the nuclear fusion took place it blew the remaining gas from the inner solar system out to a distance beyond the asteroid belt. This
Why are there no planets in the asteroid zone?
No planets have pulled together out of all the asteroids, yet. It could happen in a billion years or so . . . it is hard to tell at this point. Keep in mind that rocky planets like Mars, Earth, Venus, and Mercury took billions of years to form.
For what reason did the inner planets not collect gas like the gas giants did?
The inner planets did not collect gas like the gas giants did because of their closeness to the Sun. The high temperatures allow for rocky, solid surfaces to form.
