6.1.2 The Solar System (3)

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1.

Describe how the Sun's mass influences the orbital speed of planets. Explain why planets closer to the Sun have different orbital speeds compared to those further away.

2.

Question 3

Explain how the accretion model accounts for the differences between the rocky planets and the gas giants in our Solar System. Your explanation must address the role of gravity, the composition of the interstellar cloud, and the formation of the accretion disc.

3.

Data from a probe orbiting a newly discovered planet, Xylos, is presented below. The data includes the orbital distance from the planet's centre, the time taken for one orbit, the planet's mass, and the calculated surface temperature.

Orbital Distance (m) | Orbital Duration (s) | Planet Mass (kg) | Surface Temperature (K)

1.4 x 108 | 2.5 x 106 | 2.0 x 1027 | 500

2.8 x 108 | 5.0 x 106 | 2.0 x 1027 | 450

3.5 x 108 | 7.5 x 106 | 2.0 x 1027 | 400

Analyze the data and determine the relationship between the orbital distance and the surface temperature of Xylos. State your assumptions.