Nebular Theory

The Nebular Theory

• According to the Nebular Theory, the solar system
originated from a nebula.

• It is the widely accepted view about the formation of the

solar system some 4.5 billion years ago.
The Nebular Theory
• A nebula is defined by NASA as
giant cloud of gas and dust in
space.

• This interstellar cloud of dust

contains hydrogen, helium and
other ionized gases.

Dusty discs surrounding

nearby young stars
MAJOR STEPS IN THE FORMATION OF THE SOLAR
SYSTEM
• The formation of the solar
system from a nebula
occurs in three major
steps: (1) cloud collapse,
(2) formation of
protoplanetary disk, and
(3) growth of planets.
The Solar System
STEP 1: CLOUD COLLAPSE
• Hypothetically, a shockwave from a supernova or the effect
of a passing star may cause a cloud collapse.

• The collapse at the center of the cloud due to gravity occurs

when gas pressure becomes insufficient to support the
mass of the cloud.

• The collapsed cloud of interstellar gas and dust results to a

smaller radius which means it will spin faster.
COLLAPSING OF THE CLOUD MAKES IT SPIN
FASTER.

Cloud Collapse
STEP 2: FORMATION OF PROTOPLANETARY DISK
STEP 2: FORMATION OF PROTOPLANETARY DISK
• Metals and silicates
could exist near the sun
because these
compounds have
higher boiling points.
• As a result, terrestrial
planets were eventually
formed containing high Terrestrial planets. From left to right:
concentration of these Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
compounds.
STEP 2: FORMATION OF PROTOPLANETARY DISK
• The terrestrial planets
could not grow in huge
diameter because of the
limited reserve of
metallic elements in the
solar nebula.
Terrestrial planets. From left to right:
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
STEP 3: GROWTH OF PLANETS
• Dust and grains surrounding the sun eventually formed
clumps. These clumps then accreted forming
planetesimals.

• Planetesimal is a small celestial body that once collide

together, it tend to fused to form the planets of the solar
system.
STEP 3: GROWTH OF PLANETS

Growth of planets in the nebular theory.

PROPONENTS OF THE NEBULAR THEORY

• Emanuel
Swedenborg
• Immanuel Kant
• Pierre-Simon
Laplace

Emmanuel Immanuel Pierre-Simon

Swedenborg Kant Laplace
DRAWBACKS OF THE NEBULAR THEORY
• Particles surrounding Saturn repel each other which is
contrary to the assumption that dust particles will be attached
to each other forming a planet.
• It does not follow the law of angular momentum because if
the nebular theory is correct then the sun should be spinning
at a higher rate than the others.
• It did not consider Uranus and Venus, which rotates in a
clockwise direction while other planets rotates in a
counterclockwise direction.
 ● Nebular Theory, the solar system originated
1 from a nebula.

2 ● Nebula is a giant cloud of gas and dust in space.

● Nebular theory proposes that the solar system

was formed through three major steps: cloud ​
3 collapse, formation of protoplanetary disk and
​growth of planets​.
 ● Terrestrial planets are closer to the sun and have
higher metallic and silicate compounds. Jovian
4 planets are farther from the sun where the lower
temperature allows gas to condense.

● Nebular theory was proposed by Emanuel

5 Swedenborg, Immanuel Kant, and Pierre-Simon
Laplace.

● The nebular theory is weakened by attributes of

6 Saturn, the sun, Uranus, and Venus.
COMPLETE THE
FLOWCHART.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE COMPOSITION OF THE
MATERIALS IN THE CORE, MANTLE, AND CRUST
BASED ON THE NEBULAR THEORY?