Lesson 2.

The Origin of
Planet Earth
Accretion
● Accretion is one of the leading theories for the
formation of planet Earth.

● It is a process that occurs when gravity attracts tiny bits of

matter towards an object.
The Steps of
Accretion
 How does Accretion Occur?

1. Accretion is when gravity attracts particles of matter towards

an object

2. Accretion is used to explain the formation of the planet Earth.

The attraction of multiple particles of matter eventually led to
the formation of the planetoid.
 Accretion forms planetesimals, which form
protoplanets.

A protoplanet is a planetary embryo that consists of

collection of matter, from which a planet is formed.
 The following are the steps of Accretion

1. Clumps of dust grains collide

2. The collision forms planetesimals

3. This turns into a protoplanet as more planetesimals are

attracted. A protoplanet is a planetary embryo that consists of
a collection of matter.

4. A planet is formed
Homogeneous Accretion
● It is when Earth accreted from materials of the same
composition after condensation.
 Homogenous Accretion Hyphotesis

States that the formation of the Earth began after the

condensation of fine particles of the primitive nebula about 4.6

billion years ago. When these particles accreted, they formed a

homogenous primordial Earth. Thus, early Earth had a uniform

solid composition.
1. Condensation of fine particles of the primitive Nebula
2. Particles accreted forming a homogenous primordial Earth
3. Due to gravitational contraction and decay of radioactive
elements, the Temperature of early Earth increased
4. Iron and Nickel melted, and they sank towards the center
because of their high density
5. Less dense silicates were displaced, and they moved upwards.
Heterogeneous Accretion
● It is when Earth accreted during condensation, forming a
differentiated planet as it grew in size.
 Heterogenous Accretion Hypothesis

states that the core has formed at the same time as

Earth. Therefore, early Earth had its basic layered structure with
core, mantle, and crust. It supposes that all the materials are
present at the beginning.
1. Condensation of oxides of aluminum and calcium followed
by iron and nickel
2. The nebula cooled further
3. Condensation of silicates
4. The condensed particles collided with each other
5. Accretion of aluminum and calcium oxides accreted followed
by iron and nickel forming Earth’s center core
Homogeneous Accretion
Evidences Loopholes
It provides a mechanism that The hypothesis cannot explain
explains the presence of the abundance of elements such
volatile elements in the core. as osmium, iridium, ruthenium,
and rhodium in the mantle.
Heterogeneous Accretion
Evidences Loopholes
It qualitatively Accretion must be very fast (103 to 104
explains the density years for completion). This rate does not
differences among coincide with the occurrence of large
terrestrial planets. impact craters. Also, the abundances of
iron, calcium, titanium, and aluminum do
not coincide with what was predicted by
the theory.
 Accretion happens when gravity attracts tiny bits of
1 matter towards an object.

Homogeneous accretion
2 is when Earth accreted from materials of the same
composition after condensation.

Heterogeneous accretion
3 is when Earth accreted during condensation, forming a
differentiated planet as it grew in size.