Question

Which statement describes the density of the inner planets?
A) All the inner planets are dense
B) The inner planets are less dense than the outer planets
C) Earth is dense, while the other inner planets are not
D) Mercury and Venus are dense, while Earth and Mars are not

Answer 1

Hint: There are a total of eight planets in our solar system. The four planets that are close to the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called inner planets or terrestrial planets. The density of a planet can be described as its mass per unit volume.

Complete answer:
Out of the eight planets, Mercury, Venus, earth and mars are called the inner planets as they lie between the sun and the belt of space rocks the other four planets are known as outer planets. On the other hand, the initial four are called Terrestrial, which means earth-like as they are composed of rock and metals, and have moderately high densities. The remaining four planets are called Jovian or Gas Giant planets. Jovian means Jupiter-like. Most of them are a lot bigger than the terrestrial planets and have thick climates, mostly of helium and hydrogen. Every one of the planets was formed in the same period sometime about 4.6 billion years ago. Thus, the inner planets are having less density than the outer planets.

The terrestrial planets were formed in the close range of the parent star where it was excessively warm for gases to convert to solid particles. Jovian planets were formed at a far location. The sun-based breeze was high near the sun; so, it blew off lots of gas and dust from the terrestrial planets. The sun-based winds were not that intense to cause similar removal of gases from the Jovian planets. The terrestrial planets are smaller and their lower gravity could not hold the getting away of the gases.

Thus, the correct answer is an option (B) The statement that describes the density of the inner planets is that the inner planets are less dense than the outer planets.

Note: Pluto has also recognized a planet. However, in a meeting of the International Astronomical Union, a solution was taken that Pluto-like other heavenly objects found in the recent past may be called ‘dwarf planet’.