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Part 1: What are the two groups of planets based on composition?

Part 2: Describe the composition of each group.

User Nattalia
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Two groups of planets based on composition - Terrestrial/Rocky planets, and, Gas Giant planets.




User Serafina
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Part 1:

Answer:

The "two groups of planets" based on the composition are 'Terrestrial Planets' and 'Jovian Planets'.

Step-by-step explanation:

  • The 8 planets in the solar system are classified into two distinct groups based on their composition.
  • The "first four planets" closest to the Sun are called 'Terrestrial Planets' and the "next four planets" comparatively farther away from the Sun are called 'Jovian Planets'.
  • The group of terrestrial planets gets its name from the surface characteristic of the planets, i.e. because the surface of these planets is hard and rocky.
  • The other group gets its name 'Jovian' from the name of the first planet in this group, i.e. Jupiter.

Part 2:

Answer:

The terrestrial planets, viz. Mercury, Earth, Venus, and Mars are majorly composed of solids and have a solid surface, whereas, the Jovian planets, viz. Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune are composed of "gases" and do not have a solid surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

  • Depending on the states of matter that the planets are composed of, the planets are divided into two groups.
  • The groups of planets that are formed on the basis of the composition of these planets help to divide the planets into the categories of 'solid planets' and 'gaseous planets'.
User CCSJ
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