Question

Jupiter is often called a gas giant. This name is:

a) suitable, because Jupiter is about 90% gas.
b) suitable, because Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system.
c) suitable, because Jupiter has a higher fraction of gas, by volume, than any other planet.
d) unsuitable, because Jupiter is mostly liquid.
e) unsuitable, because Jupiter is too cold to be a gas.

Answer 1

Jupiter is often referred to as a 'gas giant' due to its large size and gaseous outer layer, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. While this name is somewhat suitable, it is somewhat misleading because the intense pressure inside Jupiter turns hydrogen into a liquid, making the planet's interior largely composed of liquid hydrogen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term 'gas giant' when referring to Jupiter is both suitable and misleading. While it's true that Jupiter’s atmosphere is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, which are gases on Earth, the immense pressure inside Jupiter compresses this hydrogen into a liquid state.

Therefore, while the outer layer is gaseous, the name 'gas giant' doesn't fully capture the fact that much of Jupiter’s interior is liquid hydrogen. Jupiter is indeed the largest planet in the solar system, and this contributes to the pressure that turns hydrogen into a liquid.

Thus, while the name is suitable because it's based on the composition of its atmosphere, it's also misleading since it implies that the planet is entirely gaseous, when in fact, it contains vast amounts of liquid hydrogen. The term 'gas giant' does reflect its physical size and composition compared to the other planets in the solar system.