Body Composition Location
W ice, dust, and gas in highly elliptical orbit
around the Sun
X rock and iron orbiting the Sun
Y gas orbiting the Sun
Z rock plus ice
and/or iron orbiting a planet
Which solar system body is an inner planet?
A.
Z
B.
Y
C.
X
D.
W
The correct answer is C. X
To determine which solar system body is an inner planet, we need to look at their composition and location.
A. Z: Z is described as having rock plus ice and/or iron, and it is orbiting a planet. This does not fit the characteristics of an inner planet.
B. Y: Y is described as being made of gas and orbiting the Sun. This does not fit the characteristics of an inner planet.
C. X: X is described as being made of rock and iron, and it is also orbiting the Sun. Based on this, X fits the characteristics of an inner planet.
D. W: W is described as being made of ice, dust, and gas, and it is in a highly elliptical orbit around the Sun. This does not fit the characteristics of an inner planet.
Therefore, the solar system body that is an inner planet is option C. X.
To determine which solar system body is an inner planet, we need to understand the characteristics of inner planets. Inner planets are those that orbit close to the Sun and are primarily composed of rock and metal.
Based on the given information provided in the table:
- Body X is described as being composed of "rock and iron" and it is also stated that it is "orbiting the Sun". This fits the characteristics of an inner planet.
- Body Y is described as being composed of "gas" and it is also stated that it is "orbiting the Sun". This does not fit the characteristics of an inner planet, as inner planets are primarily composed of rock and metal.
- Body Z is described as being composed of "rock plus ice and/or iron" and it is also stated that it is "orbiting a planet". This does not fit the characteristics of an inner planet, as inner planets orbit the Sun directly, not another planet.
- Body W is described as being composed of "ice, dust, and gas" and it is stated that it is in a "highly elliptical orbit around the Sun". This does not fit the characteristics of an inner planet, as inner planets are not composed primarily of ice, dust, or gas.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. Body X is the inner planet in this case.