What role did gravity play in the formation of the planets?

A.
The gravitational forces inside small asteroids pushed outward, causing the asteroids to swell to the size of planets.
B.
Gravitational forces brought together several moon-sized bodies, called planetesimals, to form larger bodies that became planets.
C.
The gravity of the Sun was too weak to hold it together, and large pieces of the Sun broke off to form the planets.
D.
Planet-sized bodies passing by the solar system were pulled in by Earth's gravity and fell into orbit around the Sun.

1 answer

The correct answer is:

B. Gravitational forces brought together several moon-sized bodies, called planetesimals, to form larger bodies that became planets.

During the formation of the solar system, gravity played a crucial role in accumulating dust and gas into larger structures. Small bodies, known as planetesimals, collided and merged under the influence of gravity, gradually building up to form the planets we see today.