nebular hypothesis

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Word: Nebular Hypothesis

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: The nebular hypothesis is a scientific theory that explains how our solar system formed. It suggests that a large cloud of gas and dust in space, called a nebula, collapsed under its own gravity. As it collapsed, it spun faster and formed the sun at the center, with planets, moons, and other celestial bodies forming from the leftover material.

Usage Instructions:

• The term is mostly used in discussions related to astronomy, cosmology, and the formation of the solar system.
• It is often found in scientific texts, lectures, or discussions about the universe.

Example Sentence:

"The nebular hypothesis helps us understand how the planets and the sun came to be in our solar system."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced discussions, the nebular hypothesis may be compared with other theories of solar system formation, such as the "solar nebula theory," which provides more detailed mechanisms of how planets form from the gas and dust in a spinning disk around a young star.

Word Variants:

• Nebula (noun): A cloud of gas and dust in outer space.
• Nebular (adjective): Relating to or resembling a nebula.

Different Meanings:

While "nebular hypothesis" specifically refers to the theory of solar system formation, "nebula" can refer to any cloud of gas and dust in space, not necessarily related to solar system formation.

Synonyms:

• Solar nebula theory (a more specific term within the same context).
• Formation theory (a broader term that may refer to various theories about how celestial bodies form).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there aren’t direct idioms or phrasal verbs associated specifically with "nebular hypothesis," you might encounter phrases like "out of the blue," which can metaphorically relate to unexpected discoveries in astronomy.

Summary:

The nebular hypothesis is an important concept in understanding how our solar system came to exist.

Academic

Noun

1. (cosmology) the theory that the solar system evolved from a hot gaseous nebula