3.

2 Formation of the Solar System
• Planets follow an orbit (path) around the Sun in the same direction
and on the same plane.
• The Sun and all the plants spin on their axis in the same direction
(except Venus and Uranus).
• Nebula: a cloud of dust and gas in space
• How are stars and planets formed?
o Particles of dust and gas in space have their own weak
gravity
o The gravity pulls these particles to each other
o As they stick together, their total mass increases
o As their mass increases, their gravity also increases, thus
attracting more dust and more gas
o This continues until the mass becomes a star or a planet
• Air resistance is a force that slows down the movement of objects
o Occurs due to a moving object having to push against the
particles in the air
o Air resistance acts in the opposite direction of movement
o The faster an object moves, the greater the air resistance on
the object
• In space, there is no air (vacuum) as there are very few particles
o There is no air resistance in space, thus objects in space can
move very fast
• The only force acting on planets in space is from gravity.

3.3 Movement in space

• The Sun is has the largest mass in the Solar System, thus it has the
strongest gravitational field.
• The Sun’s gravity holds the planets in their orbits
o The gravity gets weaker the further the planet is from the
Sun.
o The closer the planet is to the sun, the faster the planet
orbits around the Sun.
3.4 Tides
• Depth: the distance between the surface of the water and the • Tidal force: the pull from the Moon’s gravity
bottom of the ocean o The gravity of the Moon pulls on the oceans, creating tides
• Tide: Change in the depth of water o The side of the Earth closer to the Moon will have high tide
o Tidal range: Difference in depth of water between high and
low tides
o Time between high tide to high tide: 12 hours
o Time between low tide to low tide: 12 hours
o Time between high tide and low tide: 6 hours

• The Sun also produces a tidal force on Earth, but it is weaker (due to
distance).
• A larger tidal force is produced with the Sun and Moon are in line
with the Earth.