Question

We could divide the Jovian planets into two subclasses: the "gas giants" and the "ice giants." Into which group should we place the four Jovian planets?

A. The gas giants are Saturn & Neptune, and the ice giants are Jupiter & Uranus.
B. The gas giants are Saturn & Uranus, and the ice giants are Jupiter & Neptune.
C. The gas giants are Jupiter & Saturn, and the ice giants are Uranus & Neptune.
D. The gas giants are Jupiter & Neptune, and the ice giants are Saturn & Uranus.
E. The gas giants are Uranus & Neptune, and the ice giants are Jupiter & Saturn.

Answer 1

The Jovian planets are divided into 'gas giants' and 'ice giants' based on composition. Jupiter and Saturn are the gas giants, while Uranus and Neptune are classified as ice giants.

Step-by-step explanation:

The classification of the Jovian planets into “gas giants” and “ice giants” is based on their chemical composition and physical properties. The gas giants are Jupiter and Saturn, which are composed primarily of hydrogen and helium and have similar compositions to the Sun. The bulk of both planets consists of compressed, liquefied hydrogen. On the other hand, the ice giants are Uranus and Neptune.

These planets have significantly different compositions, containing heavier elements, and their interiors are rich in compounds such as water (H₂O), methane (CH₄), and ammonia (NH₃), which are often referred to as “ices” in the context of planetary science. Thus, the correct answer to which subclass each of the Jovian planets belongs is option C: The gas giants are Jupiter & Saturn, and the ice giants are Uranus & Neptune.