Question

Select all the correct answers.

Layla is researching one of the outer planets. So far, she knows only that it is either a gas giant or an ice giant. Which two statements best describe
how Layla's planet was formed?
Pressure near the Sun pushed the lighter elements far into space, where some of them could
condense.
The planet accreted a significant amount of rocky material to form a planet larger than Earth.
The Sun's extreme temperatures caused the planet's gases to condense close to the Sun.
The planet experienced nuclear fusion within its core, surpassing temperatures found even on the
Sun.
The planet developed a larger diameter than any of the four terrestrial planets located near the Sun.

Answer 1

The outer planet Layla is researching formed by accreting a significant amount of rocky material to create a large core and then attracting lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium, in the cool environment far from the Sun to develop a diameter larger than that of terrestrial planets.

Step-by-step explanation:

Layla is researching an outer planet in our solar system and wants to know about its formation. Considering that it is either a gas giant or an ice giant, we can identify a few key statements:

• The planet accreted a significant amount of rocky material to form a larger-than-earth core, upon which it could then attract and retain the lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium from its surroundings.
• These materials, being far from the Sun, were not pushed away by solar winds or heat but instead condensed in the cooler environment of the outer solar system.
• The outer planets never reached the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion; thus, this process did not occur within their cores.
• Eventually, these planets, including the one Layla is researching, developed larger diameters than any of the terrestrial planets located near the Sun.

Therefore, the two statements that best describe how Layla's planet was formed would be:

1. The planet accreted a significant amount of rocky material to form a planet larger than Earth.
2. The planet developed a larger diameter than any of the four terrestrial planets located near the Sun.