What are the small asteroid-like bodies called that contributed to the formation of planets?

The small asteroid-like bodies that contributed to the formation of planets are known as planetesimals. These bodies are formed from the dust and gas present in the early solar system and range in size from small boulders to larger objects. During the formation of the solar system, planetesimals collided and accumulated over time through a process called accretion, gradually building up to form the planets we know today.

Planetesimals played a crucial role in the growth of planetary bodies, as their interactions and collisions promoted the merging of material in the protoplanetary disk around the young Sun. This resulted in the formation of larger objects that eventually became the planets.

In contrast, comets and asteroids are typically categorized as larger bodies that are remnants from the early solar system. While they provide insight into the materials and conditions present during planet formation, they represent different stages in the evolution of these early bodies. Cosmic dust refers to tiny particles that make up primordial matter but are generally much smaller and less substantial than planetesimals.