Today, the asteroid belt does NOT contain a planet because
A) the planet that originally formed there was scattered into the Sun by Jupiter.
B) the planet that originally formed there was captured as one of Jupiter's moons.
C) the planet that originally formed there was scattered to the Kuiper belt by Jupiter.
D) interactions with Jupiter prevented one from forming.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Interactions with Jupiter's strong gravitational field prevented the material in the asteroid belt from coalescing into a planet. Jupiter's gravity stirred up the asteroid belt, leading to high-velocity collisions that prevented the accretion of a larger body.

Today, the Asteroid Belt Does NOT Contain a Planet Because