WGU C165 Section 3 Earth Science: Lesson 1-3 || 100%
Accurate Solutions.
Describe the role of gravity in the formation of astronomical objects. correct answers Gravity
causes matter in space to attract and clump together, leading to the formation of stars, planets,
and galaxies. It initiates and drives the collapse of gas clouds into dense structures, eventually
forming celestial bodies and larger cosmic structures.
Nebula: correct answers a vast, diffuse cloud of gas and dust in space, often considered the
birthplace of stars and planetary systems. Nebulae can be regions where new stars are forming,
or remnants of dead or dying stars.
nuclear fusion: correct answers a process that occurs when hydrogen and other small nuclei fuse
to form larger nuclei, releasing large amounts of energy in the process
star: correct answers a celestial body that is held together by its own gravity and that releases
visible light and other forms of radiant energy generated by nuclear fusion
galaxy: correct answers a collection of hundreds of billions of stars that are clustered together by
gravity
orbit: correct answers when gravity causes one celestial body to move around another in a nearly
circular path
Recall Newton's law of universal gravitation from the physics section. correct answers universal
law of gravitation: the gravitational force of attraction between any two objects is proportional to
the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the distance between them
Describe the effects of gravity in bringing matter together to form a star from a cloud of gas and
dust. correct answers Gravity causes a cloud of gas and dust in space to collapse inward,
increasing density and temperature at the core. As the core reaches extremely high temperatures
and pressures, nuclear fusion begins, forming a star and releasing energy that counteracts further
collapse.
Explain the role of gravity in the formation of galaxies. correct answers Gravity plays a key role
in galaxy formation by pulling together vast amounts of gas, dust, and dark matter, leading to the
creation of dense regions that eventually coalesce into galaxies. Over time, these gravitationally
bound regions form stars, star clusters, and other structures, which interact and merge to create
larger and more complex galaxy systems.
Explain how gravity keeps planets and other objects in orbit. correct answers Gravity keeps
planets and other objects in orbit by providing the centripetal force necessary to maintain their
curved paths around a central body, such as a star or planet. The gravitational attraction between
the orbiting object and the central body ensures that the object continually changes direction,
creating a stable orbit rather than moving off in a straight line.
Accurate Solutions.
Describe the role of gravity in the formation of astronomical objects. correct answers Gravity
causes matter in space to attract and clump together, leading to the formation of stars, planets,
and galaxies. It initiates and drives the collapse of gas clouds into dense structures, eventually
forming celestial bodies and larger cosmic structures.
Nebula: correct answers a vast, diffuse cloud of gas and dust in space, often considered the
birthplace of stars and planetary systems. Nebulae can be regions where new stars are forming,
or remnants of dead or dying stars.
nuclear fusion: correct answers a process that occurs when hydrogen and other small nuclei fuse
to form larger nuclei, releasing large amounts of energy in the process
star: correct answers a celestial body that is held together by its own gravity and that releases
visible light and other forms of radiant energy generated by nuclear fusion
galaxy: correct answers a collection of hundreds of billions of stars that are clustered together by
gravity
orbit: correct answers when gravity causes one celestial body to move around another in a nearly
circular path
Recall Newton's law of universal gravitation from the physics section. correct answers universal
law of gravitation: the gravitational force of attraction between any two objects is proportional to
the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the distance between them
Describe the effects of gravity in bringing matter together to form a star from a cloud of gas and
dust. correct answers Gravity causes a cloud of gas and dust in space to collapse inward,
increasing density and temperature at the core. As the core reaches extremely high temperatures
and pressures, nuclear fusion begins, forming a star and releasing energy that counteracts further
collapse.
Explain the role of gravity in the formation of galaxies. correct answers Gravity plays a key role
in galaxy formation by pulling together vast amounts of gas, dust, and dark matter, leading to the
creation of dense regions that eventually coalesce into galaxies. Over time, these gravitationally
bound regions form stars, star clusters, and other structures, which interact and merge to create
larger and more complex galaxy systems.
Explain how gravity keeps planets and other objects in orbit. correct answers Gravity keeps
planets and other objects in orbit by providing the centripetal force necessary to maintain their
curved paths around a central body, such as a star or planet. The gravitational attraction between
the orbiting object and the central body ensures that the object continually changes direction,
creating a stable orbit rather than moving off in a straight line.
