What is the primary basis upon which we divide the ingredients of the solar nebula into four categories (hydrogen/helium; hydrogen compound; rock; metal)?
A) The temperatures at which various materials will condense from gaseous form to solid form.
B) The atomic mass numbers of various materials.
C) The locations of various materials in the solar nebula.
D) The amounts of energy required to ionize various materials.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary basis upon which we divide the ingredients of the solar nebula into four categories is the temperatures at which various materials will condense from gaseous form to solid form. This is known as the condensation sequence and is directly related to the composition of the solar nebula and its temperature gradient. Hydrogen and helium were the first to condense due to their low boiling points, followed by hydrogen compounds such as water, ammonia, and methane. Rocks and metals were the last to condense due to their higher boiling points.

What Is the Primary Basis Upon Which We Divide the Ingredients