course hero how do terrestrial and giant planets differ? list as many ways as you can think of.

by Anne Williamson DDS 4 min read

The terrestrial planets and the gas planets are thought to have formed under different conditions. The inner planets are made of elements that can survive the heat of the Sun; gases would have evaporated. The giant planets are far enough away that gases could accumulate around the planet cores and remain there for the age of the solar system.

Full Answer

What is the difference between terrestrial planets and gas planets?

The terrestrial planets and the gas planets are thought to have formed under different conditions. The inner planets are made of elements that can survive the heat of the Sun; gases would have evaporated. The giant planets are far enough away that gases could accumulate around the planet cores and remain there for the age of the solar system.

What is an example of comparative planetology?

Some have gas giant planets much closer to the Sun, for example. What is comparative planetology and why is it useful to astronomers? Comparative planetology is the study of how planets work and evolve by comparing them and the processes that have influenced their development.

What determines whether an atmosphere can be retained on a planet?

The gravity of a planet helps to determine whether an atmosphere can be retained. Mars has a shallow atmosphere compared to Earth, but it is also only 1/3 the size of Earth. Venus and Earth are about the same size and both have atmospheres.

How do the inner planets survive the sun's heat?

The inner planets are made of elements that can survive the heat of the Sun; gases would have evaporated. The giant planets are far enough away that gases could accumulate around the planet cores and remain there for the age of the solar system.

Which of the following are ways in which terrestrial and giant planets differ?

Terrestrial planets lie closer to the Sun. They are small compared to the giant planets, have relatively high densities, and are made of mostly silicates and metals. The giant planets lie farther from the Sun and are large compared to the terrestrial planets.

How do terrestrial and giant planets differ quizlet?

How do terrestrial and giant planets differ? Closer to sun, smaller, higher densities, silicates and metals. Giants have low densities, far from sun, larger, no solid surface, more moons. How do asteroids and comets differ?

Why do the the terrestrial planets and the giant planets have different compositions?

The terrestrial planets and the giant planets have different composition because: the terrestrial planets are closer to the sun. - The hotter planets in the inner Solar System collected less gas than cooler, outer planets. -Terrestrial planets loose their primary atmosphere.

In what ways do terrestrial planets differ from Jovian planets quizlet?

How do the terrestrial planets differ from the Jovian planets? They are more dense and rocky, also more closer to the sun while the outer planets are made up of gasses and ice.

What are the basic differences between terrestrial and jovian planets quizlet?

Terms in this set (39) What accounts for the large density differences between terrestrial and Jovian planets? Jovian planets have thick large atmospheres of hydrogen and gas giants. terrestrial are small rocky inner planets with little atmospheres.

Why are Jovian planets thought to differ in composition from terrestrial planets?

While terrestrial planets accreted from planetesimals made of rocks and metals, they ended up too small to capture significant amounts of the abundant hydrogen and helium gas in the solar nebula. The jovian planets, however, formed farther from the Sun where ices and rocks were plentiful.

What is the major difference in the composition of the inner planets and of the outer planets?

The four inner planets have shorter orbits, slower spin, no rings, and they are made of rock and metal. The four outer planets have longer orbits and spins, a composition of gases and liquids, numerous moons, and rings.

What are the basic differences between the terrestrial and jovian planets which planets fall into each group?

What are the basic differences between the terrestrial and jovian planets? Which planets fall into each group? Jovian planets are much larger in size and lower in density than terrestrial planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. You just studied 69 terms!

Why are terrestrial planets rocky?

The terrestrial planets and the gas planets are thought to have formed under different conditions. The inner planets are made of elements that can survive the heat of the Sun; gases would have evaporated.

What is a differentiated body?

A differentiated body is one that has been heated to the point where it is liquid, and heavier, denser materials sink to the center of the planet, and the lighter elements rise to the outer layer. The concentration of materials helps to retain heat in the interior of a planet.

Which planets rotate backwards?

Venus rotates backward and Uranus and Pluto spin about an axis tipped nearly on its side. Based on what you learned about the motion of small bodies in the solar system and the surfaces of the planets, what might be the cause of these strange rotations?

Which planet has a shallow atmosphere?

Mars has a shallow atmosphere compared to Earth, but it is also only 1/3 the size of Earth. Venus and Earth are about the same size and both have atmospheres. A dense atmosphere insulates the surface of a planet so that more heat is retained; however, the composition of the atmosphere is also important.