According to the nebular theory, as an interstellar cloud forms a new star and planetary system it
A) expands, cools down, and spins slower
B) contracts, heats up, and spins faster
C) expands, cools down, and spins faster
D) contracts, heats up, and spins slower

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the nebular theory, as an interstellar cloud collapses under its own gravity, it begins to contract, which causes an increase in temperature and density. This heating causes the cloud to start rotating faster due to conservation of angular momentum. As the cloud continues to contract and spin faster, it flattens into a disk-shaped structure with a central protostar and surrounding protoplanetary disk. Thus, the correct answer is B - the cloud contracts, heats up, and spins faster.

According to the Nebular Theory, as an Interstellar Cloud Forms