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In a ______ solar system, the majority of bodies consist of lighter elements like gas or ice.

a) Terrestrial
b) Jovian
c) Lunar
d) Celestial

User Gymbrall
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Final answer:

The correct term for a solar system primarily composed of bodies consisting of lighter elements like gas or ice is 'Jovian'. Jovian planets, like Jupiter and Saturn, are dominated by hydrogen and helium, in contrast to the rocky, metallic terrestrial planets.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a Jovian solar system, the majority of bodies consist of lighter elements like gas or ice. The term 'Jovian' refers to the giant gas planets of our solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, which are dominated by hydrogen and helium. These planets have sufficient gravity to retain these lighter gases. These conditions contrast with terrestrial planets, which are composed mostly of rocks and metals, and generally thicker atmospheres in proportion to their cores due to their reduced size and lower mass. While lunar relates to moons, and celestial is a broad term encompassing all objects in space, the correct answer for a solar system primarily composed of gas and ice giants is option b) Jovian.

The Galilean moons of Jupiter could be categorized based on their composition and density, largely resembling the characteristics of either terrestrial planets or ice giants. Notably, moons such as Ganymede and Callisto, which are made up of nearly equal parts frozen water and rocky materials, would be considered more akin to gas/ice giants due to their substantial ice content.

User JP Kim
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