Question

Terrestrial planets are mainly composed of ________ while Jovian planets are made dominantly of ________. a. rock and metals; volatiles b. refractory materials; volatiles and metals c. volatiles and metals; refractory materials d. volatiles; rock and metals

Answer 1

Answer: a. rock and metals; volatiles

The Terrestrial Planets are those that are closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Among its main characteristics is the fact that they have a metallic core and a silicate mantle that surrounds them. In addition, they have rocks, craters, mountains, valleys and volcanoes on its surface.

on the other hand, Jovian Planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) are classified as "gas and ice giants", because they are mainly composed of gas and volatile materials. For example, Uranus and Neptune have higher concentrations of methane (hence its bluish color) and some heavier elements such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, while, Jupiter and Saturn have a mixture of hydrogen that gives off a red aspect.

Therefore:

Terrestrial planets are mainly composed of rock and metals while Jovian planets are made dominantly of volatiles.