How did protoplanets develop?
A)They grew in size primarily by accretion.
B)They grew in size primarily by condensation.
C)They grew in size by collecting the particles in the solar wind.
D)They grew in size by the collision and coalescing of planetesimals.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Protoplanets grew in size by the collision and coalescing of planetesimals, which are small objects that form from the accumulation of dust and ice in the protoplanetary disk. As these planetesimals collided and stuck together, they formed larger and larger bodies, eventually growing into protoplanets. Accretion and condensation may have played a role in this process, but the primary mechanism of protoplanet development was through planetesimal collisions.

How Did Protoplanets Develop