According to Our Present Theory of Solar System Formation, Why

question 37

Multiple Choice

According to our present theory of solar system formation, why were solid planetesimals able to grow larger in the outer solar system than in the inner solar system?

• A) Because only metal and rock could condense in the inner solar system, while ice also condensed in the outer solar system
• B) Because the Sun's gravity was stronger in the outer solar system, allowing more solid material to collect
• C) Because gas in the outer solar system contained a larger proportion of rock, metal, and hydrogen compounds than the gas in the inner solar system
• D) Because only the outer planets captured hydrogen and helium gas from the solar nebula

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Definitions:

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure ranging from -1 to 1 that indicates the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables.

Scatterplot

A graphical representation of individual data points plotted on a two-dimensional plane, often used to observe and analyze the relationship between two variables.

Least Squares Regression Line

A straight line that best fits the data on a scatter plot, minimizing the sum of the squares of the vertical distances of the points from the line.

Side-by-Side Bar Chart

A graphical display for comparing the frequency, count, or proportion of categories across different groups.