The mass of the solar nebula that began contracting to form the solar system was estimated to be:
A) one solar mass, the same as the mass of the solar system today.
B) only a fraction of a solar mass because additional mass has since been attracted from nearby objects.
C) several solar masses.
D) thousands of solar masses to allow for the mass energy radiated away since the formation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mass of the solar nebula that began contracting to form the solar system was estimated to be several solar masses. This is based on the current understanding of the formation of the solar system, which involves the collapse of a giant molecular cloud with a mass of several tens of thousands of solar masses. While much of the original mass was lost during the formation process, the remaining mass eventually condensed into the solar system we see today.

The Mass of the Solar Nebula That Began Contracting to Form