The large planetesimals would have grown faster than the smaller planetesimals because
A)they were moving faster in their orbits than the smaller planetesimals.
B)their stronger gravity would pull in more material.
C)there was more material located near them that could be accreted.
D)the smaller planetesimals were covered by a layer of material that was lost during collisions.
E)All of the other choices are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The larger planetesimals would have had stronger gravity, and thus would have been able to pull in more material during the accretion process. This would have allowed them to grow faster than the smaller planetesimals. Choice A is incorrect because the speed of the planetesimal would not necessarily affect its growth rate. Choice C is partially correct, as there would have been more material available near the larger planetesimals, but this is not the only reason for their faster growth rate. Choice D is not a factor in the growth rate of planetesimals. Therefore, the best answer is B.

The Large Planetesimals Would Have Grown Faster Than the Smaller