Rk Naresh Gravity plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of both the cosmic web (large-scale structure of the universe) and individual galaxies, as well as in the formation of our solar system. Here's a breakdown of its significance in these processes:
Cosmic Web and Galaxy Formation:
Formation of Cosmic Structure: In the early universe, gravity played a key role in the formation of the cosmic web, which is the large-scale structure of the universe characterized by vast filaments and sheets of galaxies separated by immense voids. Tiny quantum fluctuations in the density of matter in the early universe were amplified by gravitational attraction over billions of years, leading to the formation of this intricate web-like structure.
Hierarchical Clustering: Gravity causes overdense regions of matter to attract more matter over time. This process, known as hierarchical clustering, led to the formation of larger and larger structures in the universe—from individual galaxies to galaxy clusters and superclusters—where gravity acted as the dominant force shaping the distribution of matter on cosmic scales.
Galaxy Formation: Within these overdense regions, gravity played a critical role in the formation of galaxies. As matter collapsed under its own gravity within dark matter halos (regions of higher density), gas accumulated and formed stars, eventually giving rise to galaxies. The gravitational interaction between dark matter, gas, and stars within these halos determined the size, shape, and properties of galaxies we observe today.
Formation of the Solar System:
Nebular Hypothesis: The formation of our solar system is largely explained by the nebular hypothesis, which suggests that a rotating cloud of gas and dust (a solar nebula) collapsed under its own gravity about 4.6 billion years ago.
Accretion and Planet Formation: As the solar nebula collapsed, gravity caused it to spin faster and flatten into a disk due to conservation of angular momentum. Within this disk, particles of dust and gas began to accrete (stick together) under the influence of gravity, forming planetesimals (small planetary bodies).
Formation of Protoplanets: These planetesimals continued to collide and accrete, eventually forming larger bodies called protoplanets. Gravity played a crucial role in these collisions and accretion processes, determining the growth and structure of the protoplanets.
Clearing of Debris: Over time, gravity helped the protoplanets clear out the surrounding debris and gas in their orbits, leading to the formation of distinct planets, moons, asteroids, and comets within the solar system.
Orbital Dynamics: Gravity continues to govern the orbital motions of planets, moons, and other bodies within the solar system. The stability and longevity of our solar system's configuration are maintained by the gravitational interactions between these celestial bodies.
Gravity is the long-range force that can pull entities with mass together over great distances to form galaxies, stars and planetary material. These objects are all the consequence of atoms and ions being first clustered into huge clouds of gas. The galaxies would effectively pass through each other while deforming a bit. Then the galaxies would gravitationally attract each other again and keep going back and forth a few times until they merged to form a new, bigger galaxy. Without gravity, the planets would not be held in their orbits and would simply drift away into space. In conclusion, gravity is a fundamental force in planetary formation. It drives the process of accretion, shapes the planets, and holds the planetary system together. Gravitational forces brought together several moon-sized bodies, called planetesimals, to form larger bodies that became planets. Gravity causes the motions of planets, stars, and galaxies. It's why the Moon orbits around the Earth, and the Earth orbits around the Sun, and the solar system orbits around the galaxy. It's all because of gravity. Gravity is the reason stars and planets are spherical. During the further evolution, gravity holds galaxies, clusters and filaments together and maps the Cosmic Web into its present shape. It is during this evolution that the details of dark matter and the cosmic expansion do become relevant after all. Gravity is the powerful force that glues our universe together. Gravity helped form our solar system, the planets, and the stars. It holds the planets in orbit around the Sun, and moons in orbit around the planets. The gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon creates the tides on Earth.