[Stevie Bain (OP)]

David says:

We are told that the planets were formed from the debris remaining after the creation of the sun. The debris clumping together due to gravity and getting larger as more debris is attracted due to a stronger gravitational field.

My question is : Why has there been no planet formation where the Asteroid belt is located? Would the gravitational pull between the sun and the planet Jupiter prevent a planet being created?

Can you help?

[Janus]

Yes, it is most likely due to the perturbing influence of Jupiter.  One thing to keep in mind is that even if all the material in the asteroid belt were combined into a single body, it would only form something the size of a small moon.  Jupiter's gravity swept the region relatively clear.   Even now it has an influence on the asteroids in the belt by creating the Kirkwood gaps; regions that, because anything orbiting there would be in resonance with Jupiter's orbit are, for the most part, clear of asteroids.

[chris]

This thread about Kirkwood gaps and Jupiter's influence may be helpful for you.