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The Nebular Theory, which posits that the solar system formed from a giant cloud of gas that collapsed under its own gravity. the conservation of angular momentum during the collapse, the role of centrifugal force in shaping the solar system into a disk, and the mathematical relationships involved in the process.
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“theory” implies explanatory power “nebula” means cloud. The solar system formed from a large cloud of gas that collapsed under the force of its own gravity. Its rotation increasing as it collapsed, via the conservation of angular momentum. This happened about 5 billion years ago, and probably only took a few tens of millions of years.
Nebula collapsing under its own gravity -- spins faster -- why is it flattened into a disk?
M r R m
M r R m as gravity from M pulls particle m inward, not just R but also r gets smaller
if the angular momentum is to stay the same while r decreases, then v must increase … the particle must revolve faster about the axis
M R, r The only place the particle can be and have the net force go to zero – in other words, have gravity and the centrifugal force balance – is in the equatorial plane centrifugal No net force gravity
Nebula collapsing under its own gravity -- spins faster – It is naturally flattened into a disk.
