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How are the gas giants different from the terrestrial planets?

seo-qna
Last updated date: 25th Apr 2024
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Answer
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Hint: The gas giants are also called Jovian planets and the terrestrial planets are also called the rocky planets. Planets are generally in the shape of a spheroid.

Complete solution:
The gas giants are different from the terrestrial planets mainly by the size and composition.
The gas giants are also known as the outer planets. The planets that orbit far away from the sun are called outer planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune are the outer planets and these are mostly gaseous, ringed, huge, and will have many moons. Even though pluto is the outer planet, it is small and has only four moons.
The terrestrial planets are also known as the inner planets. The planets that orbit closer to the sun are called inner planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the inner planets and these are composed of rock, relatively small, and will have few or no moons.
In the solar system, the terrestrial planets will have atmospheres mostly made up of the gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. While the gas giants will have lighter gases like hydrogen and helium.
The gas giants are covered by gaseous surfaces while the terrestrial planets are characterized by solid surfaces.
The gas giants will have a relatively small rocky core while the terrestrial planets will have the properties like liquid heavy metalcore with at least one moon, volcanoes, valleys.
Thus the gas giants differ from the terrestrial planets mostly by their size and composition.

Note: 1. The terrestrial planets are also called telluric planets.
2. The gas giants are also called failed stars as they contain the same elements as that of the stars.
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