How do outer planets differ from inner planets? (1 point)
Sci
COURSE TOOLS
SCI
• They are smaller than the inner planets.
• They consist of a mixture of gases and liquid
• They are not different from inner planets.
• They have very large solid surfaces.
• They consist of a mixture of gases and liquids.
The correct answer is:
• They have very large solid surfaces.
Outer planets differ from inner planets in several ways. One major difference is that outer planets have much larger solid surfaces compared to inner planets. Inner planets, such as Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are primarily composed of rocky material and have relatively small sizes. In contrast, outer planets, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, consist of a mixture of gases and liquids, with a relatively small solid core. They are often referred to as gas giants or ice giants. These outer planets have thick atmospheres that contain hydrogen, helium, methane, and other gases, and they lack a distinct solid surface like the inner planets.
To understand the differences between the outer planets and inner planets, we can use the information provided as options in your question.
Option 1 states that outer planets are smaller than inner planets. However, this is not correct. In fact, outer planets are generally much larger than inner planets. Inner planets, also known as terrestrial planets, include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are predominantly solid and rocky in composition.
On the other hand, outer planets, also referred to as gas giants or ice giants, include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets are significantly larger and mainly composed of gases and liquids, such as hydrogen and helium. They have relatively small solid cores surrounded by thick atmospheres of various gases.
Option 2 states that outer planets consist of a mixture of gases and liquids, which is correct. As mentioned earlier, the outer planets have primarily gaseous compositions, with a small solid core at the center. They have thick atmospheres composed of different gases, including hydrogen, helium, methane, and ammonia. Some outer planets, like Uranus and Neptune, also have icy mantles.
Option 3 claims that there are no differences between inner planets and outer planets, but this is not true. Outer planets have distinct characteristics that set them apart from the inner planets.
Option 4 suggests that outer planets have very large solid surfaces. However, this is not accurate. Outer planets have relatively small solid cores, but the majority of their volume is occupied by their gaseous atmospheres.
In summary, the correct answer is that outer planets differ from inner planets because they consist of a mixture of gases and liquids, while inner planets are predominantly solid and rocky in composition. Additionally, outer planets are significantly larger in size compared to inner planets.