AST 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Gravitational Energy, Orion Nebula, Solar System
Document Summary
Angular momentum: mass (x) velocity (x) radius. Solar system exhibits pattern of composition and motion. Total orbital energy (gravitational potential energy + kinetic) conserved. Gravitational potential energy converts to thermal energy. Conservation of angular momentum & increased velocity. Conservation of angular momentum can"t be created or destroyed. We can see storm forming in nebula. Flattening & collision between particles in cloud caused it to flatten to a disk. 2 types of planets (terrestrial & jovian) Composition & size depends on material for environment. Contraction of nebula leads to hot inner section. Rock remains in inner part of solar system rather than ice. Larger the radius = higher the temperature. Inside too hot for hydrogen to form ice. Outside cold enough for ice to form (hydrogen compounds freeze out) Planetesimals = more objects of rock built to planet. More materials available; larger planets able to form. Radio telescope, angular resolution of 0. 0035 arcsecs. Gaps in disk planets developing material.
