Background for protoplanet
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protoplanet

/ˈproʊtoʊˌplænɪt/ /ˈproʊtəˌplænɪt/

Meanings
noun
An astronomical object, approximately the size of the Moon, formed from the mutual gravitational attraction of planetesimals; they are thought to collide with each other and slowly form planets

Examples :

"The astronomers believe a protoplanet, about the size of our Moon, collided with another one billions of years ago, eventually forming the planet Earth. "
astronomy space science

Related Words

Illustration billions

billions noun

/ˈbɪljənz/

(modern British & Australian, short scale) a thousand million (logic: 1,000 × 1,000^2): 1 followed by nine zeros, 109; a milliard

"The company's profits reached billions of dollars last year. "

Illustration planetesimals

planetesimals noun

/ˌplænɪˈtɛsɪməlz/

Any of many small, solid astronomical objects that orbit a star and form protoplanets through mutual gravitational attraction.

"In the early solar system, dust and gas gradually clumped together, forming planetesimals, which then collided and merged to create the planets we know today. "

Illustration approximately

approximately adverb

/əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət.li/ /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/

Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.

"...approximately 60 beats per minute."

Illustration astronomers

astronomers noun

/əˈstrɑnəmərz/

One who studies astronomy, the stars or the physical universe; a scientist whose area of research is astronomy or astrophysics

"Astronomers use telescopes to study planets and stars. "

Illustration planets

planets noun

/ˈplænɪts/

Each of the seven major bodies which move relative to the fixed stars in the night sky—the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

"Ancient astronomers observed that seven planets – the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – moved differently than the fixed stars. "

Illustration collide

collide verb

/kəˈlɑɪd/

To impact directly, especially if violent.

"When a body collides with another, then momentum is conserved."

Illustration thought

thought verb

/θɔːt/ /θɔt/

To ponder, to go over in one's head.

"Idly, the detective thought what his next move should be."

Illustration astronomical

astronomical adjective

/ˌæs.tɹəˈnɒm.ɪk.əl/ /ˌæstɹəˈnɑːmɪkəl/

Of or relating to astronomy.

"My science class requires us to use astronomical charts to identify constellations. "

Illustration gravitational

gravitational adjective

/ˌɡɹævɪˈteɪʃənəl/

Pertaining to, or caused by, gravity or gravitation.

"The gravitational pull of the Earth keeps us on the ground. "

Illustration attraction

attraction noun

/əˈtɹækʃən/

The tendency to attract.

"The attraction of a good teacher to their students is often strong. "

Illustration collided

collided verb

/kəˈlaɪdɪd/

To impact directly, especially if violent.

"When a body collides with another, then momentum is conserved."

Illustration eventually

eventually adverb

/ɪ.ˈvɛn.tjʊ.li/ /ɪ.ˈvɛn.t͡ʃu.li/

In the end; at some later time, especially after a long time, a series of problems, struggles, delays or setbacks.

"After many frustrating attempts, he eventually finished his school project. "