Formation of the Solar System (Astrophysics Homework Help)

In summary, the distance from the sun affects the temperature of a region according to the inverse square law. Using this law, it can be determined that the region where Venus formed was 55.2 times hotter than the region where Jupiter formed.
  • #1
ostudy
1
0

Homework Statement



Formation of the Solar System

The distance of Venus is about 0.7 AU, and the orbital radius of Jupiter is about 5.2 AUs. How many times hotter is the region where Venus formed compared to the region where Jupiter formed? Enter numbers and decimal point only. Round off to the nearest tenth.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution




The temperature of a region of the solar system depends on how close it is to the sun, according to the inverse square law:

T = k/R²

where "k" is some constant. So:

Tvenus / Tjupiter = (k/Rvenus²) / (k/Rjupiter²)
= (Rjupiter / Rvenus)²
= (5.2 AU / 0.7 AU)²

I arrived at Venus' region being 55.2 times hotter than Jupiter region and it is wrong.

Thank you in advance for your help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It's not

T = k/R2

It's inverse square root.
 

Related to Formation of the Solar System (Astrophysics Homework Help)

1. How did the Solar System form?

The Solar System formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a giant cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula. As the nebula collapsed due to gravity, it began to spin faster and flatten into a disk shape. The central part of the disk became the Sun, while the remaining material formed the planets, moons, and other objects in the Solar System.

2. What is the most accepted theory of the Solar System's formation?

The most accepted theory of the Solar System's formation is the nebular hypothesis, which was first proposed by philosopher Immanuel Kant and later developed by scientist Pierre-Simon Laplace. This theory states that the Solar System formed from a rotating cloud of gas and dust, with the larger, more massive objects forming near the center and smaller objects forming further out.

3. How did the planets in the Solar System end up with different compositions?

The planets in the Solar System ended up with different compositions due to a process called differentiation. As the Solar System was forming, the planets were bombarded with high-energy particles and collisions, causing them to heat up and melt. This allowed the heavier elements to sink to the center, while the lighter elements rose to the surface. This resulted in the terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) having a rocky composition, while the gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) have a gaseous and icy composition.

4. What role did the Sun play in the formation of the Solar System?

The Sun played a crucial role in the formation of the Solar System. Its strong gravitational pull and intense heat helped to shape and stabilize the orbits of the planets, moons, and other objects. The Sun also provided the necessary energy for the formation of the early Solar System, as well as for the development of life on Earth.

5. How do scientists study the formation of the Solar System?

Scientists study the formation of the Solar System through a combination of observations, computer simulations, and laboratory experiments. They use telescopes to observe other solar systems and compare them to our own, as well as collect data from space missions. Computer simulations allow them to model the processes that led to the formation of the Solar System and make predictions about its future. Laboratory experiments help to recreate the extreme conditions present during the early stages of the Solar System's formation and test different theories.

Similar threads

Is my fictional Solar System stable and realistic?
    • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
21
Views
2K
How to Linearize Data for Solar System Motion Analysis?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
B New theory, our solar system formation, "space bubble"
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
16
Views
3K
I Solar system simulation -- Significant deviation of some Jovian moons
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
1K
I Solar flare: Help normalizing the Band function
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Angular Momentum in a Solar Nebula
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
7
Views
2K
B Could a brown dwarf passing through our solar system ignite Jupiter?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
I How to model Solar System formation accurately and realistically
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
6
Views
2K
Jupiter and Saturn - Back and Forth in the Early Solar System?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
5K
Is Kepler Bb's Unique Solar System the Most Complex in the Universe?
    • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
8
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top