What are the main differences between terrestrial and gas giant planets?

What are the main differences between terrestrial and gas giant planets?

Terrestrial planets, like Earth and Mars, are rocky and have solid surfaces. Gas giants, like Jupiter and Saturn, are mostly made of gases and lack a well-defined solid surface.

Can you give examples of each type?

Sure! Terrestrial planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Gas giants include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

What about their atmospheres?

Terrestrial planets have thinner atmospheres, mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen, while gas giants have thick atmospheres rich in hydrogen and helium.

How do their sizes compare?

Gas giants are significantly larger than terrestrial planets. For example, Jupiter is about 11 times the diameter of Earth.

What role do these planets play in our solar system?

They play crucial roles in shaping the solar system's structure, influencing orbits, and providing insights into planetary formation.