Theories of Planet Formation

Planet formation theories primarily revolve around the solar nebula hypothesis, which suggests that planets form from a rotating cloud of gas and dust. As the cloud collapses under gravity, it flattens into a disk. Within this disk, particles collide and stick together, forming larger bodies called planetesimals. These planetesimals further coalesce to create planets. Another theory, known as gravitational instability, proposes that large clumps of gas and dust can collapse directly into planets. Both theories emphasize the role of gravity and material in the early solar system, leading to the diverse planets we see today.