For the sake of discussion lets assume we agree on the following:
1.) The planets were formed through the natural laws of physics
2.) The planets closest to the sun are comprised of higher density materials than those at the outer reaches of our planetary system. IE: Mercury has unimaginable amounts of rock and Saturn contains almost exclusively gasses.
3.) All of the planets began to take shape close to the same time
Now to delve in the body of the question itself. I was taught one of the following and disagree with it. the other is what I consider to be a more viable explanation. I am looking for an un-biased, scientific opinion backed with fact and reason. I do not care if I am wrong, so long as I feel I know the truth.
Which of the following is true and why? Please cite your sources.
Theory #1: The planets in our system closest to the sun are composed of higher density materials than those located further away from the sun because a planets proximity to the sun exposes it to either extreme heat or extreme cold. The gasses and liquids on the planets exposed to heat were burned off, leaving only the rock and metals. The planets furthest from the sun still contain high volumes of liquids and gasses (even so they may be in a frozen state) because they were never super-heated. Earth exists at the perfect proximity to the sun to provide us with large amounts of compounds existing in all states (solids, liquids and gasses).
Theory #2: The planets in our system closest to the sun are composed of higher density materials than those located further away from the sun because a planets proximity to the sun exposed its elements to varying gravitational forces. The planets closest to the sun contain vast amounts of rock and metal because these elements are subject to greater gravitational force than the lower density elements. The sun drew in the higher density materials closer to it long before the planets formed and the planets formed from the materials in their immediate surroundings. The exact opposite is true for the outermost planets. The suns gravity never pulled in the massive amounts of liquid and gas that still exist there.
1.) The planets were formed through the natural laws of physics
2.) The planets closest to the sun are comprised of higher density materials than those at the outer reaches of our planetary system. IE: Mercury has unimaginable amounts of rock and Saturn contains almost exclusively gasses.
3.) All of the planets began to take shape close to the same time
Now to delve in the body of the question itself. I was taught one of the following and disagree with it. the other is what I consider to be a more viable explanation. I am looking for an un-biased, scientific opinion backed with fact and reason. I do not care if I am wrong, so long as I feel I know the truth.
Which of the following is true and why? Please cite your sources.
Theory #1: The planets in our system closest to the sun are composed of higher density materials than those located further away from the sun because a planets proximity to the sun exposes it to either extreme heat or extreme cold. The gasses and liquids on the planets exposed to heat were burned off, leaving only the rock and metals. The planets furthest from the sun still contain high volumes of liquids and gasses (even so they may be in a frozen state) because they were never super-heated. Earth exists at the perfect proximity to the sun to provide us with large amounts of compounds existing in all states (solids, liquids and gasses).
Theory #2: The planets in our system closest to the sun are composed of higher density materials than those located further away from the sun because a planets proximity to the sun exposed its elements to varying gravitational forces. The planets closest to the sun contain vast amounts of rock and metal because these elements are subject to greater gravitational force than the lower density elements. The sun drew in the higher density materials closer to it long before the planets formed and the planets formed from the materials in their immediate surroundings. The exact opposite is true for the outermost planets. The suns gravity never pulled in the massive amounts of liquid and gas that still exist there.