How Did Planets Enter Their Orbits?

In summary, the formation of planets after the big bang is explained by the nebular hypothesis, which states that dust and gas coalesced into spinning disks that eventually formed stars and planets. Gravity played a key role in the process, causing the disks to shrink and speed up their rotation. The planets then swept up remaining dust and gas to form their current orbits. For further information, researching terms such as "planet formation," "nebular hypothesis," and "protoplanetary disk" can provide a more in-depth understanding. A helpful article on this topic is also provided.
  • #1
ajassat
55
0
This is something I thought about while drifting off to bed last night.

Immediately after the period between the big bang and the formation of planets, how did these newly created planets enter their respective orbits.

I'm assuming the planets had different masses and that this was a major factor in deciding the location of the orbit in relation to the sun and other planets

Can somebody shed more light on this?
 
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  • #2
No. The dust and gas that settled out of the BB coalesced into spinning, contracting disks. These disks shrank under gravity, causing their rotation to speed up. Eventually the centre formed a star with a disk. The disk started clumping and these clumps became planets. The planets swept up the remaining dust and gas until there was just a star and a bunch of planets in various orbits.
 
  • #4
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
 

1. How did planets initially form?

According to the nebular hypothesis, planets formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula. As the nebula collapsed due to gravity, it spun faster and flattened into a disk shape. The densest material collected in the center, forming the sun, while the lighter material formed into clumps that eventually became the planets.

2. What factors determine a planet's orbital path?

The orbital path of a planet is determined by its mass, the mass of the object it orbits (usually a star), and the distance between the two objects. The greater the mass of the planet, the stronger its gravitational pull and the smaller its orbital radius. Similarly, the closer the planet is to its star, the smaller its orbital radius will be.

3. How do planets maintain their orbits?

Planets maintain their orbits due to the balance between the force of gravity pulling them towards the sun and their inertia, which causes them to continue moving forward. An object in orbit will continue in its path unless acted upon by an external force, such as the gravitational pull of another object.

4. Can a planet's orbit change over time?

Yes, a planet's orbit can change over time due to a variety of factors. For example, the gravitational pull of other planets or objects in the solar system can cause slight changes in a planet's orbit. Additionally, the sun's own movement through space can also affect a planet's orbit.

5. How long does it take for a planet to complete one orbit around the sun?

The time it takes for a planet to complete one orbit around the sun, also known as its orbital period, varies depending on its distance from the sun. For example, Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, takes only 88 Earth days to orbit the sun, while Neptune, the farthest planet, takes 165 Earth years to complete one orbit.

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