Early Solar System History
SOLAR SYSTEM FORMATION
ACCRETION: The process of growth or enlargement by a gradual buildup as
A. Increase by external addition or accumulation (as by adhesion of external parts or particles)
B. Dust particles condensed from gas and accreted (came together) into larger and larger bodies.
Activities
(K-12) Exploring Meteorite Mysteries; Lesson 10: Activity B: ZAP!
Electrostatic Small Particle Accretion. Students experiment with balloons and static electricity to illustrate the theories about how dust particles collected into larger clusters.
(8-12) Exploring Meteorite Mysteries; Lesson 10: CRUNCH!
Accretion of Chrondrules and Condrites. Students manipulate magnetic marbles and steel balls to dramatically illustrate the accretion of chondritic materials into larger bodies like planets and asteroids.
Resources
Exploring Meteorite Mysteries:
Teacher's Guide Meteorites, Clues to Solar System History, Formation Processes, page 17.
Formation of Our Solar System: PowerPoint for Use in Teacher's Workshops; slides 12-18.