How do outer planets differ from inner planets?(1 point)
Responses
They are not different from inner planets.
They are not different from inner planets.
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
They are smaller than the inner planets.
They are smaller than the inner planets.
They have very large solid surfaces.
They have very large solid surfaces.
They have very large solid surfaces.
The correct answer is:
They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid.
To understand why outer planets differ from inner planets in terms of their composition, we need to have some basic knowledge about the solar system.
The solar system is made up of the sun at the center, followed by a series of planets orbiting around it. The four inner planets, also known as terrestrial or rocky planets, are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are relatively closer to the sun and are made up of predominantly solid and rocky surfaces. They have thin or no atmosphere and are composed mostly of heavy elements like iron and silicates.
On the other hand, the four outer planets, also known as gas giants or Jovian planets, are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets are located further away from the sun and are significantly larger in size compared to the inner planets. They consist of a mixture of gases such as hydrogen and helium, with some traces of heavier elements deep inside their cores. Outer planets also have a dense atmosphere surrounding their solid cores, which is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
Therefore, the main difference between outer planets and inner planets is that outer planets consist of a mixture of gases and liquids, while inner planets have mostly solid surfaces.