The Earth forms. The Earth is thought to have been formed about 4.6 billion years ago by collisions in the giant disc-shaped cloud of material that also formed the Sun. Gravity slowly gathered this gas and dust together into clumps that became asteroids and small early planets called planetesimals.

The Formation of Earth
The Earth was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago through a process known as accretion. Here is a detailed explanation of how the Earth was formed:

1. Formation of the Solar System
- The solar system began as a giant cloud of dust and gas called a solar nebula.
- Gravitational forces caused the nebula to collapse, leading to the formation of the Sun at the center.
- The remaining dust and gas in the disk surrounding the Sun began to clump together due to gravity.

2. Accretion of Planets
- Small particles collided and stuck together, forming larger bodies called planetesimals.
- Over time, these planetesimals continued to collide and grow in size, eventually forming protoplanets.
- One of these protoplanets was Earth, which continued to grow as it accumulated more material.

3. Differentiation and Core Formation
- As Earth grew larger, its interior became hot enough for heavy elements to sink towards the center, forming the core.
- Lighter elements and minerals rose to the surface, leading to the formation of the Earth's mantle and crust.
- This process, known as differentiation, helped shape the Earth into the layered planet we know today.

4. Final Stages of Formation
- The early Earth experienced intense volcanic activity and collisions with other celestial bodies.
- These processes contributed to the formation of the oceans, atmosphere, and continents.
- Eventually, the Earth cooled and stabilized, allowing for the development of life over billions of years.
In conclusion, the Earth's formation was a complex and dynamic process that took place over millions of years, ultimately resulting in the diverse and habitable planet we inhabit today.