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Protoplanets are larger bodies in the process of forming into planets, usually by accreting material from a protoplanetary disk. Planetesimals are small celestial bodies that are precursors to planets, often ranging in size from meters to hundreds of kilometers and are believed to be building blocks for planets. Essentially, protoplanets are further along in the planet formation process compared to planetesimals.

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Q: What is the difference between protoplanets and planetesimals?
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What are planetesimals and protoplanets and how are related to one another?

Planetesimals are small solid objects that form in the protoplanetary disk around a young star, while protoplanets are larger bodies that develop from the accumulation and collision of planetesimals. Planetesimals are the building blocks that come together to form protoplanets, and eventually, planets. So, planetesimals are like the "seeds" that grow into protoplanets.


. What was the result of collisions between the early Earth and other smaller protoplanets?

What was the result of collisions between the early Earth and other, smaller protoplanets?


What is the colliding planetesimals theory?

The colliding planetesimals theory suggests that planets form through the gradual accumulation and collision of smaller rocky or icy bodies called planetesimals in a protoplanetary disk around a young star. Over time, these collisions lead to the growth of planetesimals into protoplanets and eventually planets. This theory helps explain how planets like Earth and its neighbors in our solar system formed.


How different stages of Earth were formed?

The Earth formed about 4.5 billion years ago from a rotating disk of gas and dust surrounding the young Sun. The initial stages saw the accretion of dust particles into planetesimals, followed by the formation of protoplanets. Later, the Earth experienced differentiation, where heavier elements sank to the core, creating distinct layers.


What substances existed as solid flakes within the inner 0.3 of the solar system before planets?

Dust grains, ice particles, and rocky fragments were present as solid flakes in the inner 0.3 AU of the solar system before planets formed. These materials gradually accreted and collided to form planetesimals, which later grew into protoplanets and finally, the inner terrestrial planets we see today.

Related questions

Why is there an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter?

The asteroid belt formed from the primordial solar nebula as a group of planetesimals. Planetesimals are the smaller precursors of protoplanets. Between Mars and Jupiter, however, gravitational perturbations from Jupiter imbued the protoplanets with too much orbital energy for them to accrete into a planet.


. What was the result of collisions between the early Earth and other smaller protoplanets?

What was the result of collisions between the early Earth and other, smaller protoplanets?


What was the result of collisions between the early Earth and other smaller protoplanets?

What was the result of collisions between the early Earth and other, smaller protoplanets?


Step by step of nebular hypothesis?

The nebular hypothesis proposes that the Solar System formed from a large cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula. The steps involved are: gravitational collapse of the nebula, formation of a spinning disk due to conservation of angular momentum, condensation of solids in the disk leading to planetesimals, growth of planetesimals into protoplanets, and finally the formation of the Sun and planets from the protoplanetary disk.


What is the colliding planetesimals theory?

The colliding planetesimals theory suggests that planets form through the gradual accumulation and collision of smaller rocky or icy bodies called planetesimals in a protoplanetary disk around a young star. Over time, these collisions lead to the growth of planetesimals into protoplanets and eventually planets. This theory helps explain how planets like Earth and its neighbors in our solar system formed.


Why is there a planet?

protoplanets.


What makes planet planet?

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbital path of other debris. It must also meet the criteria set by the International Astronomical Union, which includes being in hydrostatic equilibrium and not being a satellite of another celestial body.


Are stars smaller than planetesimals?

No. Stars are many times larger than planetesimals.


How did earth start in its early history?

Earth started when some clouds of discharge from stars collided and compressed. Over millions of years the material eventually compressed and collided to form an area that eventually became smaller and under more pressure due to the increase of gravity at the core. this pulled much of the dust and pebbles to the center but some of the particles came together to form large accumulations with a diameter of a few kilometers. these planetesimals then came together to form the first protoplanets. some of the planetesimals were destroyed in the process or fell into the sun. the next step that occurred was the collision of the protoplanets to form the four inner planets. the outer planets formed in a different way. the whole process is very complicated and took several hundred million years, at least.


What are protoplanets?

Protoplanets are very small planets, about the size of a moon. Astronomers believe these celestial objects are formed during the creation of a solar system.


Planetesimals made of ice are called what?

Planetesimals made from ice and sometimes rock are called comets.


What did planetesimals do as earth formed?

Planetesimals collided and merged to form the early Earth. This process released a significant amount of heat, contributing to the differentiation of Earth into layers. Additionally, planetesimals delivered water and other volatile materials to Earth, helping to shape its composition.