According to our theory of solar system formation, why did Uranus and Neptune end up to be much less massive than Jupiter and Saturn?
A)The colder gas in the outer regions of the solar nebula had less gravity and therefore could not gather up into such large balls as it could closer in.
B)Particles in the solar nebula were more spread out at greater distances, so that accretion took longer and there was less time to pull in gas before the solar wind cleared the nebula.
C)Ices were able to condense at the distance of Jupiter and Saturn, but only rock and metal could condense at the distances of Uranus and Neptune.
D)The size differences are thought to be a random coincidence.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Particles were more spread out at greater distances, making accretion less efficient and giving less time to pull in gas before the solar wind cleared the nebula. This would result in less mass being accumulated by Uranus and Neptune compared to Jupiter and Saturn, which were closer to the Sun and had a higher concentration of particles to accrete.

According to Our Theory of Solar System Formation, Why Did