Chapter 6, Problem 37EAP

A Cold Solar Nebula. Roles: Scribe (takes notes on the group’s activities). Proposer (proposes explanations to the group). Skeptic (points out weaknesses in proposed explanations), Moderator (leads group discussion and makes sure everyone contributes). Activity: In our solar system, the frost line was located between Mars and Jupiter, but study of other solar systems suggests that our solar system could have turned out differently. Consider a hypothetical scenario in which the solar nebula was not cleared away by the solar wind until the entire disk of gas had cooled to 50 K.

1. Make a list of ingredients that will condense at 50 K.
2. Make a list of ways in which the terrestrial planets might have turned out differently under this alternative formation scenario.
3. Repeat part (b) for the Jovian planets.
4. Discuss the likelihood that your predicted changes would match the actual characteristics of this alternative solar system.
5. Come up with additional “what if” scenarios, discussing various other ways in which the planets might have turned out differently.