There are two clouds of material: one with widely spaced objects with small masses and one with closely packed objects with larger masses. What is more likely to form a solar system, the first or second? Use gravity to explain your answer.
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To determine which cloud of material is more likely to form a solar system, we need to consider the role of gravity in the formation process. Gravity is the force that governs the dynamics of celestial bodies and plays a crucial role in the formation of solar systems.
When a cloud of gas and dust undergoes gravitational collapse, it begins to condense and form clumps known as protostellar cores. These cores eventually become the seeds of future stars. At the same time, these protostellar cores are surrounded by a disk of rotating matter called a protoplanetary disk.
Gravity within these protoplanetary disks causes matter to accumulate in the center, where the protostar is forming. As the mass accumulates, the protostar's gravitational pull intensifies, attracting more material from the disk. Over time, this process leads to the formation of planets.
Now, let's analyze the two scenarios you have provided:
1. Cloud with widely spaced objects and small masses:
In this scenario, the objects within the cloud are widely spaced and have relatively small masses. Because of the large distances between objects, the gravitational attraction between them is weaker. As a result, it becomes more challenging for gravity to gather enough material in one location to form a protostellar core. The lack of sufficient material in a concentrated region makes it less likely for a solar system to form.
2. Cloud with closely packed objects and larger masses:
In this scenario, the objects within the cloud are closely packed and have larger masses. The higher concentration of material, along with stronger gravitational forces between them, increases the likelihood of gravitational collapse and protostellar core formation. The larger masses contribute to a stronger gravitational pull, allowing matter to be attracted more efficiently and leading to the formation of a solar system.
Therefore, based on the explanation of gravity's role in the process, the cloud of material with closely packed objects and larger masses is more likely to form a solar system compared to the one with widely spaced objects and small masses.