Nebular Theory: Jovian vs Terrestrial Planets #shorts #planet #universe #space
3According to the nebular theory of solar system formation, both the terrestrial and Jovian planets formed from a swirling disc of gas and dust that surrounded the young Sun, called the solar nebula. However, there are several key differences in their early formation that explain why the Jovian planets ended up different from the terrestrial planets.
One of the main differences is the distance from the Sun at which the planets formed. The terrestrial planets, including Earth, formed closer to the Sun where the temperature was higher, and the solar nebula was made up of heavier elements, such as rock and metal. As a result, the terrestrial planets are relatively small and rocky.
In contrast, the Jovian planets, including Jupiter and Saturn, formed farther from the Sun where the temperature was lower, and the solar nebula was made up of lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium. This allowed them to grow much larger and accumulate vast amounts of gas and dust, forming gas giants.
Another key difference is that the Jovian planets formed in a region of the solar nebula where there was a lot more material available for them to accrete. This allowed them to grow much larger than the terrestrial planets, which had less material available to them.
Finally, the Jovian planets were able to capture more gas from the solar nebula than the terrestrial planets, due to their larger mass and stronger gravitational fields. This allowed them to accumulate thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium, which is why they are often called gas giants. In contrast, the terrestrial planets have very thin atmospheres, consisting mostly of nitrogen and oxygen.
In summary, the key differences in the early formation of the Jovian and terrestrial planets are their distance from the Sun, the composition of the solar nebula at their formation sites, the amount of material available for accretion, and their ability to capture gas from the solar nebula. These differences led to the formation of two distinct types of planets with very different characteristics.