Which two factors caused Earth and the other planets to become layered during the formation of our solar system?
Question
Which two factors caused Earth and the other planets to become layered during the formation of our solar system?
Solution
The two main factors that caused Earth and other planets to become layered during the formation of our solar system are:
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Heat: As the planets formed, they were subjected to extreme heat. This heat came from the gravitational energy of particles colliding and sticking together, and from the decay of radioactive elements. This heat caused the materials within the planets to melt and differentiate, or separate out, based on their densities.
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Gravity: Once the materials within the planets were in a molten state, gravity caused the denser materials, like iron and nickel, to sink towards the center of the planets. This formed the core. The less dense materials, like silicates, rose towards the surface, forming the mantle and crust. This process is known as planetary differentiation and is the reason why planets, including Earth, have a layered structure.
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