Why did protoplanets in the inner solar system experience slower growth rates compared to those beyond the frost line?
Answer
High temperatures only allowed heavier, rocky, and metallic materials to condense as solids
The temperature gradient within the collapsing solar nebula dictated the available solid material based on location relative to the central star. In the inner solar system, high temperatures meant that only refractory materials, specifically heavier rocky and metallic compounds, could condense into solid particles. This resulted in a relatively scarce supply of dense solid building blocks, forcing protoplanets in this region to grow more slowly, ultimately leading to the formation of terrestrial worlds like Earth.
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