The physical principle most directly responsible for the shape of planetary systems is:
A) Newton's second law of motion.
B) the universal law of gravity.
C) conservation of angular momentum.
D) conservation of energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conservation of angular momentum is the physical principle that is most directly responsible for the shape of planetary systems. As a rotating cloud of gas and dust begins to collapse, conservation of angular momentum causes it to spin faster and flatten into a disk shape. This disk then gives rise to planets and other objects in the solar system, which all share the same overall direction of rotation due to the conservation of angular momentum.

The Physical Principle Most Directly Responsible for the Shape of Planetary