Layla is researching one of the outer planets. So far, she knows only that it is
ID: 121706 • Letter: L
Question
Layla is researching one of the outer planets. So far, she knows only that it is either a gas giant or an ice giant. Which two statements best describe how Layla’s planet was formed? a-Pressure near the Sun pushed the lighter elements far into space, where some of them could condense. b-The planet accreted a significant amount of rocky material to form a planet larger than Earth. c-The Sun’s extreme temperatures caused the planet’s gases to condense close to the Sun. d-The planet experienced nuclear fusion within its core, surpassing temperatures found even on the Sun. e-The planet developed a larger diameter than any of the four terrestrial planets located near the Sun.
Explanation / Answer
Answer a,e: A gas giant is a large planet composed mostly of gases like hydrogen and helium eg Jupiter and Saturn whereas ice giants are the planets composed of elements heavier than the hydrogen and helium like nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, carbon eg Uranus and Neptune. Together ice giants and gas giants make up the outer planet of the solar system. These planets have small and dense core and is made of massive layers of gases. These planets do not have solid surfaces. These planets are larger than the terrestrial planets.
The solar system including sun, planets formed with the collapse of the nebular huge cloud of matter called the solar nebula about 4.56 Ga BP. The nebula experienced a chemical differentiation based on the condensation temperature. Refractory oxides like Al2O3,TiO2 and CaO failed to volatilize or condensed quickly in the innermost portion of the solar system whereas more volatile elements like hydrogen, helium, methane were condensed in the outermost portion of the solar system. Fe-Ni metal alloys, Fe-Mg Ni silicates, sulfides, hydrous silicates, H20 and solids of ammonia, methane condensed progressively outward. So the two statements are correct that pressure is the driving factor that pushed the lighter elements far into space where some of them could condense. The outer planets developed a larger diameter than any of the four terrestrial planets located near the sun.
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