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Chapter 8: Problem 14

(a) What is meant by accretion? (b) Why are the terrestrial planets denser at their centers than at their surfaces?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Accretion is the process of growth or increase by gradual accumulation. It's a key mechanism through which celestial bodies form. Terrestrial planets are denser at their centers than at the surfaces because they separated into layers by density when they were forming and in a molten state. The denser materials sank to the center with the less dense materials rising to the surface.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Accretion

Accretion refers to the process in which material, pulled in by gravitational forces, aggregates or grows. It's a key mechanism through which celestial bodies like stars, planets, and galaxies form.
02

Understanding Planetary Structure

Terrestrial planets are denser at their centers than at their surfaces because these planets are differentiated, meaning they are separated into layers by density. When they were in a molten state, the heavy materials sank to the center and the lighter ones rose to the surface.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the radial velocity method used to detect planets orbiting other stars? Why is it difficult to use this method to detect planets like Earth?

The planet discovered orbiting the star 70 Virginis (" \(70 \mathrm{Vir}\) " in Figure 8-17), 59 light-years from Earth, moves in an orbit with semimajor axis \(0.48 \mathrm{AU}\) and eccentricity \(0.40\). The period of the orbit is \(116.7\) days. Find the mass of 70 Virginis. Compare your answer with the mass of the Sun. (Hint: The planet has far less mass than the star.)

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