Formation of Earth and Other Planets

The formation of Earth and other planets is believed to have happened about 4.5 billion years ago. This event is known as the Solar System formation.

Solar System Formation

The Solar System was formed from a cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula. The solar nebula was made up of hydrogen, helium, and other elements. The cloud started to collapse under its own gravity, and as it collapsed, it began to spin faster and faster.

Formation of Sun

In the center of the collapsing cloud, the temperature and pressure became so high that nuclear fusion began. This caused the cloud to heat up and become a protostar. The protostar continued to grow until it became the Sun.

Formation of Planets

As the Sun formed, the remaining gas and dust in the solar nebula began to clump together. These clumps of material grew larger and larger until they became planets.

Accretion

The process by which the planets formed is called accretion. Accretion is the process of adding mass to an object by the gravitational attraction of smaller objects.

Terrestrial and Jovian Planets

The planets in the inner part of the Solar System, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are called terrestrial planets. These planets are small, rocky, and have a solid surface.

The planets in the outer part of the Solar System, including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are called Jovian planets. These planets are much larger than terrestrial planets and are made up mostly of gas and ice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, scientists believe that the Earth and other planets formed about 4.5 billion years ago, through the process of accretion from a cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula. The inner planets are called terrestrial planets and the outer planets are called Jovian planets. The formation of Earth and other planets is an important event in the history of the Solar System and the universe.