Which term describes the process of growth by the gradual addition of material to form larger bodies?

Which term describes the process of growth by the gradual addition of material to form larger bodies?

• A. Accretion
• B. Daily (Diurnally)
• C. Change in perspective
• D. Expansion

Answer: (A)

Accretion describes growth by the gradual addition of material to form larger bodies. In space, tiny particles collide and stick together, slowly building up from dust grains to planetesimals and eventually planets. The other options don’t capture this mechanism: daily/diurnally relates to day-to-day timing, change in perspective means a shift in viewpoint, and expansion is a general increase in size that doesn’t specify growth by accumulating external material. Accretion specifically emphasizes the step-by-step buildup of mass through addition of material.

Accretion describes growth by the gradual addition of material to form larger bodies. In space, tiny particles collide and stick together, slowly building up from dust grains to planetesimals and eventually planets. The other options don’t capture this mechanism: daily/diurnally relates to day-to-day timing, change in perspective means a shift in viewpoint, and expansion is a general increase in size that doesn’t specify growth by accumulating external material. Accretion specifically emphasizes the step-by-step buildup of mass through addition of material.