Quiz 6. Origin of the Solar System

Here are three facts about the solar system:

1. Planets in the inner solar system are made of rocks and metals, while planets in the outer solar system are mostly made of gas.
2. Taken as a whole, the solar system is shaped like a thin disk; all the planets have orbits which are aligned to within a few degrees of each other.
3. Rock samples from the asteroid belt (meteorites) all have ages of 4.6 billion years; the Sun's age is similar.

Briefly explain these facts in terms of our ideas about the formation of the solar system. You can give one connected answer which discusses all three points, or list and address them separately.

Joshua E. Barnes (barnes@ifa.hawaii.edu) Last modified: September 27, 2006 http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ast110_06/quizzes/quiz06.html